
Outpatient Eating Disorder Therapy
Outpatient therapy is designed for adolescent and adult women and men who need support and guidance but can manage eating disorder behaviors and thoughts in a well-supported home environment. The range of clients varies from patients just beginning the recovery process to patients well into the journey of recovery. Clients who need to restore weight or who are experiencing physiological distress should consider a more structured level of care.
Outpatient eating disorder treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) at Burrell Behavioral Health is available for clients who are motivated, medically stable, and require little structure to maintain weight. Outpatient therapy is designed to assist clients with their emotional concerns as well as offering guidance with eating disorder behaviors. Clients often find it helpful to their recovery to attend an outpatient group offered during the week and to meet with an outpatient dietitian.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are complex psychiatric and medical illnesses. They have serious consequences to a person’s health and wellness, and can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, phases, or fads. Persons who struggle with eating disorders very often become obsessed with food, weight, and/or body image. Eating disorders can be life-threatening if they are not identified and treated. The earlier someone receives treatment, the greater the chance of a full recovery.
- Anorexia Nervosa is primarily characterized by excessive weight loss, preoccupation with body image, and self-starvation.
- Bulimia Nervosa is primarily characterized by episodes of binge eating, which is then followed by using a compensatory behavior to counteract the effects.
- Binge Eating Disorder is primarily characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without regular use of compensatory behavior
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is an eating disorder that causes significant impairment, but does not meet all of the criteria for another feeding or eating disorder diagnosis. Examples of OSFED would be:
- Atypical anorexia nervosa (weight is not below normal – other criteria met)
- Bulimia nervosa or Binge eating disorder (with behaviors that are less frequent)
- Purging disorder (purging without binge eating)
Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder
- Preoccupation with food, weight, body image, calories, and/or dieting
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
- Evidence of purging, including self-induced vomiting, frequent bathroom trips following meals, periods of fasting
- Developing abnormal, extreme, ritualized, or secretive eating habits
- Evidence of binge eating – large amounts of food disappearing, food remnants left out
- Excessive exercising
- Feelings of depression, irritability, anxiety, or isolation
These signs are not inclusive, but represent many indicators of an eating disorder.