Selecting a program to treat your eating disorder can be a difficult decision. Sometimes a therapist can make a specific referral, but many times they will only recommend you go to a hospital. If inpatient treatment is a consideration, it is because you are in need of the most intensive treatment setting available and because the severity of your treatment lacks success in outpatient treatment.

What kind of inpatient programs are available?

Inpatient programs vary a great deal. Some are located in general hospitals with psychiatric units, with or without special eating disorder programs or units. There are also free-standing psychiatric/behavioral health services that will offer eating disorder programs. 
                                                                                                                                                  At ANAD, we feel that a specialized eating disorder program with a specially-trained staff member is a must. See the programs in action and meet the staff. If they have an ANAD support group, attend one. Ask questions of individuals who have gone through the program. Look for a program that will provide a continuum of care. Once medically and psychiatrically stable, you may be transferred from an intensive inpatient setting to a partial hospital/day care treatment. Partial hospitalization can sometimes be several hours a day or last a few days a week. Being discharged too early because of insurance pressure is often the main reason for relapse. Check to see the average length of stay and the success rate of this institution. It is important that you have a support system when coming out of inpatient care. Be sure to have a therapist and/or a support group ready as well as a family or home prepared to deal with your issues. 

At the inpatient facility, look at the programs that are offered - group, individual, addiction, nutritional, educational, etc. Do you feel that you will fit into this program? Discuss your concerns thoroughly. Do they have a specific treatment philosophy? If the patient is a child, what specific programming is available? Where will they stay - in a child unit, adolescent unit, or in an eating disorder unit? Will the patient see an individual therapist? What are their credentials? Is there a school available? Is there family therapy available and how often? Is there a medical doctor and facility available for medical crisis? What type of nutritional counseling do patients receive? Are meals monitored and are patients given a full experience of shopping, meal planning, and preparation? These are just a few questions to have in mind when visiting or calling the facility you are considering.

Also, it is important to see if the facility will work with you if insurance coverage becomes an issue. At ANAD, we are always concerned about insurance discrimination. If this becomes a problem for you, please visit our section on insurance discrimination and feel free to contact us directly with questions or concerns.

For many, there are no inpatient eating disorder programs available locally and the need for a longer term residential setting is necessary. There are many residential treatment centers that offer a variety of approaches throughout the country from a bio psychosocial approach, 12 step, etc. Again, do not hesitate to contact them or contact ANAD and speak with a member of the staff. Some will be able to take patients who have medical difficulties once they have an MD on staff who can manage the medical complications, or transfer to a general hospital in case of an emergency. Ask about costs because some treatment centers will negotiate or work on a sliding scale.

What is partial hospitalization?

When the acute process is stabilized and certain medical and psychiatric criteria are met, patients are often transferred to "partial hospitalization." A word of caution however: insurance companies pressure the team to transfer early and often offer them two days of partial hospitalization for every day of inpatient. While this sounds great, it is sometimes premature. Everyone wants to get well as soon as possible, but be reasonable. This format allows patients to return to school, home, work, etc. and hours can usually be worked out as long as the individual attends a minimum of 6 hours a day. Whether it is 1 day a week or 5 days, it really does not matter. Partial hospitalization stretches out the contact time for therapy, and as we all know, it takes time to get well.

What is aftercare?

Usually, programs will offer one or two nights a week free or for a slight charge several weeks after a patient is discharged. This is often done in a group format. Maintaining the changes you worked hard to achieve takes effort and needs constant attention.

How can ANAD help?

With over 25 years of service and experience in the field, ANAD is extremely familiar with the programs throughout the country. We often contact these programs and ask for feedback from patients and their families. We never endorse any program, but we can help you narrow down programs that might be helpful to you. We always try to give at least 3 referrals. In addition, our helpful office staff will help you to become a wise consumer. Issues of insurance discrimination are a top concern. Contact us and we will be happy to assist you.