Levels of Treatment for Those with Anorexia Nervosa

According to mirror-mirror.org, 0.5 to 3.7% of women have anorexia nervosa during their lives. Anorexia Nervosa strikes women at any age, although it’s more common for younger women and teens.

Anorexia Nervosa is not a disorder to mess around with, it can turn deadly if not treated properly. In this post, we'll discuss what you or your loved one with anorexia nervosa can expect in anorexia nervosa treatment.

Levels of Care in Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

When considering going to a treatment center, it is important to understand that there are different levels of care, depending on the severity of the symptoms. You may be referred to a higher level of care if your Anorexia Nervosa is severe enough.

Inpatient Treatment

The highest and most comprehensive level of care for anorexia nervosa treatment. This is a hospital setting or a treatment center that is also licensed as a hospital. They can see the most acute patients who are at extremely low body weights. They also have the highest level of medical support and therefore can administer IV’s and tube feeding when necessary. Intensive therapy and nutritional therapy is also provided on a daily basis.

Residential Treatment

This is a step down from inpatient and anorexia nervosa treatment is generally provided in a residential treatment center. While residential centers can also see patients who are very low weight and medically compromised, they have some limitations to what they can properly treat. Clients stay at the facility and receive round the clock care. These centers provide medical and nursing care along with significant therapeutic services and monitoring.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Treatment

Clients do not sleep at the treatment center though they spend 6-8 hours per day at the center receiving therapeutic services. Clients at this level of care are medically stable and have some ability to manage their symptoms on their own, without full time supervision or support.

Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Treatment

As in PHP, clients at this level of care must be medically stable and demonstrate fair to good motivation for recovery. Clients typically spend about 3 hours a day at the treatment center and are beginning to reintegrate back into their lives. IOP is most helpful when someone has successfully completed higher levels of care and still benefits from some additional structure and accountability. When someone is getting treatment for the first time and struggling to manage their symptoms on a daily basis, generally it is not helpful to start at the IOP level of care because it does not provide enough support throughout the day.

Outpatient Treatment

This level of anorexia nervosa treatment is appropriate for clients who are stable medically, have most of their weight restored, and who are willing manage their eating disorder symptoms by having a conversation about them. Those who are at this level of care are almost completely or are completely weight restored and show an ability to eat consistently and appropriately. Family-Based Therapy is the only exception to this rule.

It is often helpful to make an appointment with a licensed psychologist first who can properly evaluate and discuss your treatment options with you. An experienced eating-disorder clinician will have familiarity with the best treatment centers in your area and can make a recommendation based on your personal situation. Additionally, the psychologist you choose can then work with you once you complete your treatment at a treatment center and be able to provide a more holistic approach to your recovery.

In a treatment center, you'll receive both individual and group therapy, in addition to other services provided. Individual and group therapy will provide you with the ability to be treated intensively and also to meet others with similar struggles who can help you see that you're not alone.

If you or your loved one recognize that you have or may have anorexia, it is critical that you seek medical help immediately. But don't give up, there is hope for a brighter future without anorexia nervosa!

Dr. Amy Boyers is a licensed psychologist and has been in private practice in South Miami since 2001. She provides therapy to adolescents and adults, with a focus on women’s health, eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, & behavioral medicine.