Eating disorders are complex in nature as are eating disorder treatments. They very often start in adolescence (when teen self image and teen self esteem are greatly influenced) and most often have an underlying mental health issue such as depression. Therefore, treating an eating disorder itself is more like treating a myriad of problems all at once in hopes to overcome the disorder. Treatment for anorexia as well as bulimia are very similar.
First and foremost you want to get a patient to a normal/healthy weight. Too often the person with an eating disorder suffers from malnutrition. This can take hospitalization to overcome. There are other reasons the person may be hospitalized but the NIMH says the #1 issue to take care of is malnutrition. Not much progress can be made in other areas if the individual is weak or rapidly declining. Malnutrition brings on so many other health problems that it has to be the first thing treated.
Second comes treating the psychological disorders that the patient has that are associated with the eating disorder. It can be very hard for the best professional to pick up on all the underlying issues so it is important for loved ones to be supportive and patient. Treating these psychological disorders can include drug therapy as well as intense counseling even on a long term basis.
Finally we want to prevent relapse. We need to identify and replace the thoughts and behaviors that lead to the eating disorder behaviors. This takes a lot of therapy to get to the bottom of and is key in full recovery. Patients need to learn coping skills and how to avoid the triggers that lead them to self destructing behaviors.
Nutritional counseling may be recommended for patients with eating disorders. It is important for patients to learn how to keep themselves from becoming malnourished and the importance of keeping a healthy weight as well as strong bones and other factors. An education in teen nutrition will greatly benefit most adolescents.
