When it's time to go in-patient...
© Heather Mudgett.
Many hospitals now have women's units, which have staff available to treat eating disorder patients. In addition, a number of well-known and well-respected treatment centers are also available not only throughout the United States but also worldwide.
Checking into an in-patient program can be incredibly frightening. Often, a patient is encouraged (read: pushed) into in-patient treatment by a doctor, parent, friend, or spouse. Seems like the harder others push you towards recovery, the harder you dig your bony little heels in to avoid it.
A big part of anorexia, bulimia and related disorders is the need for control... the somewhat warped mindset that "although the rest of my life is in chaos, at least I can control my food and/or my weight." Once you check into an in-patient program, you will lose that control. The doctors, nurses and staff are there to help you, and one of the first things they will do is monitor and control most everything you do - including eating, exercising and going to the bathroom. This might feel tremendously overwhelming to you, but try to focus on the fact that this is a huge step towards recovery.
In browsing about for information on in-patient programs available, I noticed many of the same treatment ideas mentioned over and over. Most programs are very structured (which you may HATE, but you really do NEED). Most programs don't focus on food as the problem. (Food will be a part of your treatment.... it has to be. But it is only a symptom of a greater problem, and will likely be treated as such.) Most programs include individual and group therapy (group therapy can be remarkably enlightening, as you begin to realize that there are others out there dealing with the same problems you are). Many programs include family and friends in your recovery (seems like we all have some degree of issues with family and/or friends... working on those issues is just another step towards recovery). Finally, most programs encourage you to continue treatment on an outpatient basis when you leave the in-patient program. (It took years for you to become controlled by your disorder.... you won't recover overnight!)
Here are just a few examples of in-patient programs available:
CENTER FOR CHANGE - Located in Orem, UT, The Center for Change provides a caring and nurturing environment where women can heal under the constant supervision of a large staff of seasoned medical, psychological and nutritional experts. These individuals have been carefully selected because of their expertise in treating both the outward symptoms and underlying causes of eating disorders. The message of the Center for Change that "hope is real" is woven through the entire inpatient experience. Those who are fortunate enough to enjoy the Center for Change experience often comment that the Center has "given them back their life" and restored feelings of freedom that they haven't felt for a very long time.
