How to Find Help for Someone With Anorexia

When you suspect someone you care for has anorexia nervosa, act fast to get her the help she needs. Here are the steps to take.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Telephones
• Therapists

1. Call your local hospital and ask if it has eating disorder programs available. Many hospitals have inpatient treatments or can refer you to an eating disorder program in your area.

2. Look up "Eating Disorders ' Information and Treatment Centers" in the phone book. Call the centers and ask for advice.

3. Ask your doctor for advice or for information about local eating disorder support groups in your area. Also, ask her if she knows of an eating disorder specialist in your area.

4. Know that the person suffering from anorexia may need both medical and psychological assistance. Look for both forms of specialists if necessary.

5. Make sure that the psychologist has prior experience with clients with eating disorders.

6. Consider interviewing the therapist before referring the person who you believe has anorexia. The therapist should be someone you respect and admire.

7. Make sure that the family gets any needed help and support. Often, family issues are at the root of an eating disorder, and understanding past and current family dynamics is essential to recovery.

8. Bookmark Web sites on eating disorders, such as the Eating Disorders Resources site (eatingdisorderresources.com).

Tips & Warnings

• A good therapist has good credentials. Look for appropriate degrees and make sure that the therapist has met appropriate regulations for the field.
• See "Identify Anorexia," under Related eHows, if you're not sure what symptoms to look for.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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on 1/30/2006 Unless you are extremely medically fragile, think twice before choosing an inpatient program as your choice of treatment. Hospitals are notorious for treating eating disorder patients only to have them return time and time again. I believe that part of the problem is that patients recover in an unrealistic, cloistered environment, and when they are thrown back in the real world, they are unprepared. Think of it this way: for the price of a one month stay in an inpatient unit (which is usually around $1,000/day), you could probably see a therapist every day of the week for an entire year.

on 11/22/2005 If you want a great website for eating disorders and family support go to - www.something-fishy.org/ It has wonderful topics and answers to almost any questions that you may have.