Eating Disorder Treatment

Through our other centres across the UK, Ocean Recovery Centre can arrange for comprehensive eating disorder treatment programmes to take place.

This programme treats those suffering from eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The programme achieves this aim through a combination of psychotherapy, group therapy, nutritional education and stringent medical monitoring.

Do I have an Eating Disorder?

Society has long had an obsession with weight and appearances, so how do you know if you have an eating disorder or an unhealthy relationship or negative attitude with food.

Here is a list of behavioural signs to look out for in yourself or a loved one:

• Spending an excessive amount of time worrying about your body shape or weight
• Avoiding social events that may involve food
• Undereating or overeating
• Immediately going to the bathroom after eating and returning looking flustered
• Abusing laxatives or forcing yourself to be sick (also known as purging)
• Over-exercising or obsessively exercise
• Having a very strict food routine or habits
• Eating slowly or cutting food into small pieces

There are also a number of physical symptoms you may notice in yourself or a loved one:

• Mood swings
• Feeling tired or dizzy
• Feeling cold
• Digestion issues
• Extreme changes in weight that is too low, or high, for your age and height
• Periods have become very irregular or stopped completely

What Are The Stage of Eating Disorder Rehab?

Initial Assessment

When clients enter our centre a thorough assessment and examination are carried out by a qualified staff member. This assessment attempts to diagnose physical damage fasting has caused. They assess possible co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or substance abuse.

A personalised treatment plan is then drawn up based on information collected during assessment because even though eating disorders can be categorised, every person will experience very different thoughts and feelings in regards to food.

First Stages of Eating Disorder Rehab

The first stage of rehab attempts to address any health problems resulting from the eating disorder. Patients are encouraged to return to or learn how to have, a normal pattern of eating. This step is essential if clients are to gain enough mental and physical energy to attend therapy and counselling sessions.

During this testing time, clients receive 24/7 medical observation. Patients do not need to worry about laundry, food or housekeeping duties. This means clients’ focus is centred on their recovery.

Thorough & Structured Therapy Regime

Once clients’ eating patterns are normalised, a process of therapy and counselling commences. Therapy is a mixture of psychotherapy, holistic therapy and family therapy. Psychotherapy generally takes the form of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Here clients uncover deep psychological motivations for their eating disorder. These ‘triggers’ generally include stress, anxiety, fear, vulnerability or low self-esteem. Patients are taught coping strategies required to manage negative thoughts and emotions in ways other than resorting to fasting. Individual and group therapy sessions are employed.

Group therapy allows eating disorder clients to mix and learn from one another. Individual therapy takes place one-on-one with a qualified therapist thus giving clients the level of attention required to make a full recovery.

Good Grounding in Sound Nutrition

Patients receive expert nutritional education. Ocean Recovery has access to a registered dietician to conduct this important segment of eating disorder rehabilitation.

The dietician arms clients with healthy weight management techniques. This means clients no longer need to resort to fasting. Patients take part in a number of holistic therapies designed to improve their overall sense of wellbeing.

Aftercare Support

Once eating disorder treatment draws to a close, a full relapse prevention and aftercare plan is put in place. This plan helps clients apply knowledge learnt during rehab in ‘real world’ situations.

Aftercare includes 24-hour telephone support and weekly sessions taking place at the rehab centre where clients attended.