Importance of Treating Co-Occurring Conditions While in Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Centers

Without prompt and thorough treatment, co-occurring conditions can complicate the process of becoming recovered from eating disorders.

19:13 03 January 2019

These co-occurring conditions can present as additional eating disorders, mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, and other medical problems. While in inpatient eating disorder treatment centers, clients can have their co-occurring conditions diagnosed and treated using evidence-based practices. With the identification of all underlying and comorbid conditions, clients can move forward with the inpatient anorexia treatment process with confidence.

Importance of Treating Co-Occurring Conditions

Untreated co-occurring conditions can act as a barrier to recovery for those who are working to become recovered from their eating disorder. The symptoms caused by the co-occurring issues can derail progress made in residential eating disorder treatment programs, causing setbacks and other disruptive issues.

If the co-occurring condition partially or fully caused the eating disorder to develop, clients may not be able to achieve and maintain recovery without addressing that issue in full. Treating these conditions can give clients the support they need as they strive to remain recovered through every stage of life. At inpatient eating disorder treatment centers, providers utilize evidence-based practices to diagnose and treat eating disorders and all the conditions that commonly occur alongside those conditions.

Conditions That Commonly Co-Occur Alongside Eating Disorders

The conditions that most commonly co-occur alongside eating disorders include mental health conditions, substance abuse, and other eating disorders. People with eating disorders are prone to developing mood disorders, though the underlying cause of this connection is not yet known. Mental health conditions that are potentially found in clients with eating disorders include:

• Anxiety
• Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bipolar
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Alcoholism and drug abuse can also affect the lives of people with eating disorders. Treatment for addiction must coincide with inpatient anorexia treatmentto have the greatest impact on the client’s ability to achieve wellness.

Along with mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders, any combination of eating disorders can present at the same time, complicating the residential eating disorder treatment process. Clients with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or any combination of these conditions can receive help from trained care providers at their local treatment centers.

Types of Treatment That Help Resolve Co-Occurring Conditions

Effective residential eating disorder programs can offer clients treatment for their eating disorders and all co-occurring conditions. The care providers can utilize proven assessments to identify the conditions in need of treatment and help clients better understand their health. Great care programs revolve around the utilization of specialized treatment practices that promote the development of a healthy self. Highly trained psychiatrists and medical professionals work with the providers to ensure clients receive the perfect level of care. They utilize their training and experience to determine which treatment options offer the best results for the eating disorders and co-occurring conditions affecting each client.

Individual, group and family therapy acts as an integral part of the eating disorder treatment process – and can help with many co-occurring conditions as well. The treatment programs may utilize a wide range of evidence-based therapy models to give their clients their full support. Effective therapy models include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and cognitive processing therapy. Depending on the exact conditions affecting the client, mindfulness training, career planning, nutrition and fitness support, sober living options and 12 step programs may play a role in the process of becoming recovered.

How Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Centers Can Help

Upon contacting a residential eating disorder treatment center, clients will immediately receive the information and support needed to move ahead with the process. Providers perform a thorough assessment of all prospective clients to help them better understand their current health status and what it will take to become recovered.

Providers can provide clients with the info needed to choose an effective treatment path for their eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. The care team works together to ensure clients can make excellent progress in achieving their goals while in residential eating disorder programs. Even after completing the treatment process, clients receive the tools and resources they need to stay recovered, including access to outpatient therapy programs.

Acquiring Help from Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

Clients can reach out to the care teams that run local eating disorder programs to acquire the help they need to work toward recovery. At these treatment centers, clients are given the insights and support they need to recover from their eating disorders and co-occurring conditions. With help from physicians, psychiatrists and other care providers, clients can start evidence-based treatments designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms caused by all their mental and physical health conditions.