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Treating an Eating Disorder II - Recommendations

There are a number of treatment recommendations for treating eating disorders and generally speaking, the more treatment components that are included in the treatment plan the quicker the patient will progress towards a recovery.

Some of the usual characteristics are listed below:

* prescribed medication to relieve anxiety and depression

* hospitalization to prevent medical crisis such as suicide, chronic illness or death

* one to one counselling to ensure the patient develops a healthy approach to controlling their life. Treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy has achieved successful results in treating disorders such as bulimia and binge eating disorder. Individual and family circumstances determine the choice for anorexia.

* Dental work can minimize future problems and repair any damage caused by eating disorders such as bulimia.

* The ability to learn how to manage relationships effectively can be achieved via group counselling.

* Ability to create healthier new patterns in families can be achieved via family counselling.

* Restoring weigh to improve one's health cognitive functioning and mood. For example the closer to normal weight the patient is at the end of the treatment process the closer they are to a complete recovery. A low body weight is closely linked with the failure of treatment and relapse.

* Counselling regarding nutrition to prepare healthy foods and shake off food myths.

* Attendance to support groups to beak down any alienation or isolation, although these should be used in conjunction with at least one other treatment.

Some patients refuse treatment due to the nature of their illness although many do eventually recover even following years or even decades. Many make very little progress without professional help and up to 20% do not recover or survive.

Those who do participate with treatment and stick with it do a lot better with 50% recovering completely. A further 25% make a significant progress leaving the remaining 25% being chronic sufferers and although many still receive treatment during the later stages, die from the consequences of the disorder.

A few recover in a year or even less with appropriate treatment although the treatment and recovery process takes on average three to seven years, longer in many cases. Each case is different.

A common characteristic for treatment of a patient suffering from a food disorder is a formidable challenge as it involves changing food behaviours that have become entrenched into their minds. This is probably the most challenging part of the treatment.

Treatment is usually more intensive in the initial stages with several therapy sessions taking place each week and sometimes hospitalization. Sessions are arranged less frequently to the point where they are scheduled two or three times per year.

Many have relapses especially in the beginning of the treatment. They are expected. The patient learns the ability to cope with what life throws at them without being dependant of food manipulating. Often relapses occur when they encounter a problem and resort to their familiar patters such as starving, purging or binge eating.