The First Steps in Finding Treatment for an Eating Disorder

When a family first hears that their child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, the sense of shock quickly morphs into action. An online search leads to a dizzying array of options all presented in glossy format on newly designed websites. It feels like picking out a spa for vacation more than clinical care.

Even five years ago, the initial search for help was very different. It was a lot harder to find ways to navigate the eating disorder treatment world back then. The handful of programs were the backdrop for other types of outpatient care. Now the programs compete for eyes marketing their programs as much as they do health and recovery.

I have always told families or individuals looking for help that the most important step is to find a clinician who can organize a structure and plan for treatment. With a trusted person focusing solely on health and wellness of the person with the eating disorder, the other forces that dominate the eating disorder treatment community can’t take over.

Ultimately, the course of care needs to be individualized. Even though eating disorder symptoms are fairly similar person to person, each individual needs different care after the first few months. The larger programs are designed to give standardized care for a brief amount of time, rarely more than six months. Since recovery is a longer road, there needs to be someone thinking over the full spectrum of the path to getting well.

For families or individuals, the best course is to research clinicians in their area and even to broaden the search to less convenient locations in order to find the right person. That person needs to have experience treating people with eating disorders and connections to a larger community of clinicians who do the same work. The most important factor is a sense of trust in this person’s desire to help and to care. Getting well isn’t based on the fancy new program but on finding the right person to coordinate care.