Treatment

Outpatient: The victim visits a treatment team on a weekly basis.  This should  
                         include a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, dietitian, and
                support group.  This option is usually better for a people who are
                physically stable and/or have already had intensive care.



Day Treatment:  The victim attends a Day Treatment Program for three to five
                       times a week.  This program should include visits with a
                       physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, physical therapist and
                       dietitian.  The treatment center should provide several
                       support groups.  The victim eats two or three monitored   
                       meals a day at treatment but returns home at night.  This
                       option is ideal for victims who are not ill enough to require full
                       hospitalization but are too far into their illness to depend on
                       outpatient services.

Inpatient:  The victim is admitted into a hospital or residential treatment center.
           The victim is very closely monitored and receives care from a full
           treatment team.  If required, the victim may be put on a heart
           monitor, required to give blood several times a day, given
           intravenous fluid, and/or force-fed through naso-gastric tubes.  The         
             victim is on a strict diet and is tested for vital signs several times
           daily.  There may be specific weekly weight-gain goals.  Sometimes
           a reward or demerit system is utilized.  The desired privileges may
           include the use of television, phone, visitors, video games, or even
           showers.  (The reward/punishment system did not work for me but
           it has proven to work for others.)         

Support: Please remember, this illness is deep and complicated.  It is not just
         a matter of food and weight.  Even when the victims claim that this
         disease is their best friend, they feel alone and scared.  If you feel
         rejected, avoided, or unloved by the victim, it is most likely because
         he/she is ashamed, depressed, and confused.  One of the most
         important parts of recovery is having a loving, supportive group of
         family and friends.  Let this person know that even if he/she doesn't
         believe in himself/herself, you will always be there and never give up.       
Please remember, I am only here to help.  This information is not intended to replace or
substitute for any professional adivce, diagnosis, or treatment.
Treatment Options