Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,
increases in mental health issues have been widely documented. While diagnoses
like anxiety and depression are more common, other problems, such as eating
disorders, have not been discussed as frequently.
Eating disorders have also increased in the past two years and can
be life threatening, especially if left untreated. Today there are more
treatment options available and more access to care for those who need help.
“Eating disorders are on the rise, and medical science is advancing
in this area to continually improve treatment outcomes,” said Dr. Margherita
Mascolo, chief medical officer at Alsana, a leading eating
recovery community and treatment provider. “Our patients consistently report a
decrease in eating disorder symptoms after treatment, and just as importantly, our
survey data shows they also report a much better quality of life
post-treatment. This data is very encouraging for patients and their families.”
READ MORE: Mental Health help is just a phone call away
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, ethnicities,
races and socioeconomic statuses. An estimated 20 million women and 10 million
men in the United States have an eating disorder, and by 2030, there will be a
5% increase in the number of people with eating disorders, according to the
Academy for Eating Disorders.
One of the challenges in treating eating disorders is finding
treatment options and models of care that work with individual needs and
schedules. For example, college athletes, young mothers and women with careers
all have distinctly different lifestyles, so a one-size-fits-all approach to
treatment is impractical and unlikely to succeed.
One potential solution is an approach that treats the whole person,
such as The Adaptive Care Model at Alsana, which meets clients where they are in
recovery. This holistic approach strives to create an inspiring healing
experience that focuses on the patient’s total health. Creating a compassionate
community of care is key to this treatment model. The program is based on five
core areas:
Medical Treatment
Someone working to overcome an eating disorder must build health
resilience and establish a physical foundation for recovery. A collaborative
and compassionate approach allows for your medical issues to be monitored and
addressed by specialty-trained physicians. The medical dimension seeks to
empower you by educating you on the organic causes of your symptoms and how to
overcome them.
Relational
Exploring and growing your own sense of purpose and
self-expression can empower you to connect on a deeper level with yourself,
others and your sense of purpose or true calling. This means rediscovering your
true self, feeling confident in expressing your potential and working toward
your goals. Instilling hope, inspiration and motivation along your healing
journey can provide you with the tools and knowledge to thrive long after
completing treatment so you have a positive outlook for the future.
READ MORE: Simple tips for mindful eating
Nutrition
Proper nutrition plays an important role in recovery, as you must
learn to balance nourishment and pleasure on a physical and emotional level to
restore a nurturing relationship between food and your body. Guidance and
exposure to balanced food choices and real-life eating experiences helps build
confidence and promotes enjoyment of meal experiences, not just the food
itself.
Movement
Physical activity can be healing for both the mind and body. Listening and responding to the body creates a strong
foundation of body awareness. Movement is an avenue toward achieving optimal
health, but it’s also a way to learn to appreciate and connect with your body
on a deeper level.
Therapeutic
Through therapy, you can work to heal from trauma, negative
feelings, fears, and challenges that may be standing in the way of recovery.
Practices that treat the person (not the disorder) can prove effective.
No treatment plan is one-size-fits all, and finding the
right care is essential to recovery.
“Focusing on the patient’s total health is an
innovative treatment model that is proving effective,” Mascolo said. “Our caregivers
provide personalized care, compassion and support to complement the medical,
nutritional and psychological therapies in a holistic treatment model.”
Find more information about eating disorders and available
treatments at alsana.com.
How to Identify an Eating Disorder
The first step in effective treatment is identifying a problem.
Discussing the answers to these questions with your doctor may help you
pinpoint an eating disorder and get you on the path toward recovery. Take the
survey to find out if you may have an eating disorder at alsana.com/survey.
- Do you attempt to restrict calories or foods?
- Do you make yourself sick because you feel
uncomfortably full?
- Do you worry you have lost control over how
much you eat?
- Have you recently lost more than one stone
in a three-month period?
- Do you believe yourself to be “fat” when others
say you are too thin?
- Would you say food dominates your life?
(Family Features)
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
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