Kicking Cancer: Understanding The Treatment Process

Posted on: 29 April 2016

When you are suffering from an eating disorder, the first step in the healing process is to admit to yourself (and then to others) that you are suffering from an eating disorder. This can be difficult, as most eating disorders include levels of self-delusion that make you believe that your behaviors are normal or justified. However, even after you have admitted that you have a problem, the problem is not solved. Eating disorders require treatment either in an outpatient or residential setting. If you are having trouble determining which treatment setting is right for you, get to know some of the reasons that a residential eating disorder treatment program may be the best option for you and your situation.

Residential Treatment Is Both Supportive And Controlled

The problem with outpatient treatment for eating disorders is that it leaves you vulnerable to relapse or to straying off of the treatment path. And if you do not already have a strong support system in place that will hold you accountable and will offer their care and support while you are going through the healing and recovery process, it can be very difficult to find success in outpatient treatment. Slipping back into old habits would be quite easy in such a scenario.

In contrast, a residential program in an eating disorder treatment center by Center for Change offers both control and support. In the residential environment, your routine will be closely monitored and there will be a certain level of control and monitoring that will make it very difficult for you to slip into unhealthy habits. And if you do, there will be consequences that will ensure that you get the nutrition and care that you need to prevent further physical damage.

While this control may not sound appealing, it is combined with a supportive and caring environment. The staff in a residential treatment center understand and know what you are going through and will offer you encouragement and assistance as you need it. This combination gives you a safe and secure environment in which to heal and deal with the root causes of your disordered eating behaviors.

You Can Remain Fully Focused On Therapy And Recovery

Another reason that residential treatment may be the best option for you to treat your eating disorder is that being in such an environment separates you from all of the distractions of everyday life. In other words, you will not have to deal with the stresses and distractions of work, family, friends, and home that you would on a normal day out in the world. This allows you to focus your mind and attention on your treatment and recovery process.

This ability to focus fully on yourself and your recovery is also paired with the fact that you will be able to go to therapy, both in an individual and group setting every day (sometimes even more often) when you are in residential treatment. By doing so, therapy can be more effective as you will be able hone in on your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a focused and determined way. You will also better establish trust with your therapist when you see them so frequently, making it easier to open up and inevitably heal. 

Now that you know a few of the reasons that residential eating disorder treatment may be the right option for you, you can better decide which type of treatment program you want and get started as soon as possible.