Different ways to treatment of Adolescent eating disorders
Growth has been added to the adolescent eating disorder treatment during the last 50 years. The current first-line suggested treatment is family therapy, while individual and multi-family therapy has also shown potential (2–7). Total remission rates after treatment for anorexia nervosa (20–50%) and bulimia nervosa (40%) remain low despite these advancements and the expansion of treatment alternatives. In the past, this group was considered for inpatient therapy; however, hospitalization results are inconsistent, and the value of inpatient care beyond medical stabilization is debatable.
Currently, many additional levels of care are available as alternatives to inpatient therapy. By better addressing the needs of this group of young people and their families, these programs hope to decrease the need for inpatient hospitalizations. These programs have a variety of titles, such as DPs, partial hospitalization programs, intense treatment programs, etc. Still, they all have several important things in common. They all provide more intensive care than outpatient care, involve supervised mealtime assistance, center on a group-based therapy program, and provide treatment several times a week for many hours each day.
Adolescent Eating Disorders: Types
Eating problems come in many different forms. Three eating disorders that are often seen in teenagers will be covered in this section.
- Adolescent Anorexia
Compared to bulimia and binge eating disorder, anorexia is less frequent (BED). In contrast to other eating disorders, anorexia is severe and has the most excellent fatality rate [3]. The following list of anorexia symptoms and signs:
- severe dietary restrictions
- excessive thinness
- believing they are oversized or overweight while being very underweight
- acute dread of putting on weight
- Self-esteem that is strongly correlated with physical characteristics
- Continual urge to reduce weight despite low body weight
- failure to keep a healthy weight
- Adolescents with Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
A person who consistently binges is said to have BED, an eating disorder. It is called a binge when someone consumes a lot of food quickly. Given the size, most individuals would either be unable to finish the same quantity in the same length of time or choose not to. There are a few other BED symptoms. Which are:
- feeling unable to halt or control bingeing
- after bingeing, experience contempt, sadness, or guilt
- Making food rituals or rearranging schedules to binge
- eating despite being full or not being hungry
- eating in private or by oneself because one is ashamed of the quantity of food
- Quick eating.
Adolescent Treatment Options for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are very significant medical diseases that may have long-term effects. Teenagers with eating disorders should get therapy as soon as possible because they have a better chance of fully recovering before their symptoms worsen. At the first hint of a problem, parents may be tempted to search online for “eating disorder therapy near me.” Still, it is ideal for tackling the situation with all the information and a clear strategy.
Many people experience guilt about their eating disorders and, in some situations, find it difficult or impossible to talk about the subject. Adolescents may benefit from receiving eating disorder therapy in an inpatient setting where they may get both medical and psychiatric care, as well as in an outpatient program, day treatment program, residential treatment, and residential treatment with added psychiatric care.
There are many different eating problem treatment methods accessible today since every individual is unique, including:
Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and (CBT-E)
Experimental Therapies, Evidence-Based Treatment, and Family-Based Treatment (FBT).
Programs for Treating Eating Disorders in Adolescents
Adolescents have various therapy choices that have been demonstrated to be effective in helping them recover from eating disorders. What amount of treatment someone needs will depend on how severe their eating issue is. There are many different degrees of care:
- A stay at a hospital
- Intensive day programs in residence
- Outpatient
- Group therapy
According to research, the underlying emotions and behaviors that underlie eating disorders may be treated with certain forms of treatment. Mental Wellness Individual, group, and family therapy are all potential components of counseling treatment for eating disorders.
It might be emotionally challenging to recover. You can go through this procedure with the assistance of a qualified specialist. Teenagers in group therapy have the chance to support and be supported by others who are going through similar things. This kind of assistance may be pretty effective.
- Family participation is essential.
Family members have a crucial role in the treatment team. Suppose the family actively encourages and treats the person with an eating disorder to build and maintain coping mechanisms. In that case, the likelihood of your loved one recovering from an eating disorder will be boosted. When family members assist in their rehabilitation, children find it motivating.
Family therapy also offers an adolescent’s family the chance to comprehend more fully how to assist their kid during this period. Family counseling may also help members resolve any conflicting emotions or communication problems that could impede the healing process.