An Eating Disorder (such as anorexia nervosa, anorexia bulimia, binge-eating, and others) is a dangerous, debilitating, and disabling condition that, if ignored or left untreated, can lead to serious health issues and sometimes even death. Someone with an eating disorder becomes extremely focused on food and its impact on body weight or shape. The heightened concern may impair a person’s physical and cognitive health as well as their ability to function in day-to-day life. At Vero Beach Recovery Center, we understand the seriousness of this chronic illness and match each patient with a treatment program that best fits her or his needs.
Once cleared for treatment by their Primary Care Physician or another practitioner, eating disorder treatment is provided by assessing an individual’s addiction and mental health needs. As a holistic center, we treat the whole person by placing an emphasis on the psychiatric disorders that may be at the root of this condition. Often, there are co-occurring substance abuse or alcohol abuse issues. The Eating Disorders programs we recommend are designed around a combination of different techniques including mindfulness, aspects of CBT, meal supervision, and SMART Recovery. Because every patient is different, we employ different techniques to better equip you with the coping mechanisms needed to function on your own.
Because you cannot have an abstinence-based program with food or eating, we may recommend Meal Supervision. This is a therapeutic exercise that is provided if there is a serious need to help the patient “normalize” eating and remove or reduce the anxiety associated with having a meal.
One of the most useful aspects of treatment is Family therapy. Often, your family is unaware of the scope an gravity of this condition. They sometimes wonder why you can’t just stop? Family therapy and group family therapy is an excellent way to educate your family that this is a chronic illness and it takes time in treatment to address it effectivley for long-term recovery.
