 Dr. Brandt talks about the definition of
recovery and what hospitalization entails on realaudio.Dr. Brandt is a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment
of eating disorders since 1985. He's also a professor at the University of
Maryland Medical School.
Prior to his current position, he was head of the Eating
Disorders Unit at NIH (the National Institute of Health.)
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Several studies have revealed
that those who are suffering from serious eating disorders have significant
difficulty getting the help that they need to begin the process of recovery.
Often those dealing with anorexia nervosa are in denial of their illness, or
are so afraid of getting fat that they avoid health care practitioners like the
plague. People dealing with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder know they
have a serious problem, but are very ashamed of it, leading to difficulty with
open, honest communication about their symptoms. Below is a listing of the
various forms of treatment which aid those in a quest to recover.
- Support groups - These are available in many cities and on many
college campuses across the nation. They are often a place that a person
struggling can learn more about the hazards of the illness, and begin to
recognize that eating disorders are common and highly treatable. Many patients
describe feeling alone and isolated, and eating disorders support groups can
often help in this regard. Eating disorders support groups, however, are often
only a first step and do not suffice for those with serious symptoms.
- Diagnostic Evaluation - Because eating disorders are varied
illnesses with many different symptom patterns often seen in combination with
other problems such as depression and anxiety, a comprehensive evaluation is an
important first step. This usually consists of a full interview with a health
care provider with specialized experience dealing with these illnesses. A
typical evaluation will attempt to build rapport with the patient while
assessing the primary and associated symptoms of the eating disorder. Attempts
should be made to assess the seriousness of the disorder as well as immediate
medical dangers.
- Physical evaluation - Referral to a family physician or internal
medicine specialist with experience in the eating disorders is an important
component of a full evaluation.
- Outpatient treatment - The majority of persons with eating disorders
are treated on an outpatient basis in some combination of individual
psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, family
psychotherapy, and if indicated, medication management.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs - Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
usually consist of a 4-6 hour, coordinated effort combining a number of
therapies including group and nutritional treatment in a structured setting.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs - A more structured, controlled
setting for 8 - 12 hours per day on a specialized unit used to effect a
blockade of the dangerous symptoms of eating disorders (i.e., self destructive
bingeing, purging, starving etc.), for those unable to block these symptoms on
their own in less structured settings.
- Inpatient treatment - A 24-hour treatment for those requiring
intensive inpatient structure for medical monitoring, symptom blockade, and a
comprehensive, multi-modality treatment.
Eating Disorders treatments have come a long way in the past decade with
greater recognition of the need for attention to the biological components, the
psychological factors, and the social forces in our society that have led to
the marked increases in these disorders. Early treatment of an eating disorder
is most effective - Don't delay!!!!!
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