DIET | DETECTIVE^®

"But it's difficult to get people with anorexia into a therapist's office at all," he says.

Anorexia, or self-imposed starvation, is usually tied to control issues. Generally, people with anorexia feel terrible or inadequate about some aspect of life, and abstaining from food gives them a sense of control. "It's a way to deflect or avoid larger problems," Davis says.

Doctors have recently developed a new approach to outpatient treatment of anorexia. The approach takes into account the fact that many anorexics are dealing with insecurity and self-esteem problems. Someone with anorexia is now likely to be referred to a team of doctors.

The philosophy is twofold: First, the more people caring for a patient, the more safe and secure the patient will feel. Second, a person with anorexia needs a variety of care: a physician to monitor physical condition, a nutritionist to help create a meal plan the patient can live with and a therapist to help the patient get to the root of the underlying psychological issues.

The team of doctors can collaborate on the progression of the patient's treatment. "Because a person suffering from anorexia feels isolated and insecure, he or she benefits from additional attention," says Davis. "The toughest part is feeling safe enough to believe that the treatment is worth it."

How much medical attention a patient gets is determined by the severity of the condition. In an acute phase, a person with anorexia might see a doctor every other day and may be recommended for inpatient treatment. Inpatient care is necessary when a patient's life is at risk or other treatments aren't working.

The Renfrew Center, widely considered the leading eating-disorder-treatment facility in the country, tries to uncover the emotional problems underlying each person's disorder while simultaneously working to help the patient resolve his or her symptoms.

Because anorexics often use weight loss as an attempt to cope with deeper psychological issues, facing them can be a major step in the recovery process.

"Recovery takes a long time, but it is very attainable," says Davis. Although opinions differ, most experts agree that the disease is fatal in 5 percent to 10 percent of those diagnosed.

Davis says recent studies tracking the progress of anorexics show that two years after being discharged from inpatient care, 21 percent of patients made a partial recovery, and 1 percent made a full recovery.

The rate of recovery continues to accelerate with time. After four years, 55 percent had a partial recovery and 18 percent had made a full recovery. After eight years, 80 percent were partially recovered and 67 percent were fully recovered.

For more information call the Renfrew Center (800) 736-3739 or visit their website.

Bookmark:

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed