Early Intervention in Eating Disorders: You Are "Sick Enough" Now
Written by CCTC Staff Writer
Early intervention is the identification and treatment of an eating disorder within the first three years that a sufferer starts showing symptoms of the disorder. The faster a person gets the treatment they need, the easier recovery is.
Keep reading to find out:
Why early intervention is critical for eating disorder recovery
Types of early eating disorder treatment approaches, and the benefits of them
How to access treatment early on, so you don't have to spend another moment of your life battling an eating disorder on your own
But first, it must be said: you are sick enough to deserve help.
Your eating disorder will try to trick you (or the person you want to help) into thinking that you don't deserve treatment if you haven't suffered with an eating disorder for long, or you haven't lost a dramatic amount of weight, or your behaviors aren't "that bad", or no one "notices" you struggling, or other people are "much worse" than you are, but that's not true.
Your eating disorder is only telling you that you're not "sick enough" so you don't do anything to fight it.
Whether you've struggled for two days or two years, your illness is valid. Whether your outward appearance has or has not changed dramatically (which isn't actually the norm, less than 6% of people with eating disorders are clinically underweight) you are worthy of recovery.
You wouldn't wait to get treatment for cancer because it hasn't spread to your whole body. An untreated eating disorder is deadly, just like untreated cancer. Don't let an eating disorder spread and get worse before doing anything about it.
Why is early intervention critical for eating disorder recovery?
The rapid treatment of eating disorders means less of a chance that the individual will miss out on school, work, and important social events in their lives. They are less likely to need a higher level of care to effectively treat their eating disorder, and they won't spend as much time in their lives being controlled by an eating disorder.
Outpatient treatment is also much less costly than inpatient treatment, which can be avoided if you catch an eating disorder early.
With quick intervention, eating disorder thoughts and behaviors have less time to become solid habits. This means that it will be much easier to break those thoughts and habits, and easier to build new ones.
It also lessens the chance that there will be physical consequences of eating disorder behaviors, and less of a chance that those physical consequences become irreversible.
Note: You do not need to show any physical symptoms of an eating disorder for your eating disorder to be valid.
Why is it so hard to get eating disorder treatment quickly?
Many people may not recognize the early signs of an eating disorder, especially eating disorders where weight loss is not apparent (and most people with an eating disorder are not clinically underweight.)
Many medical practitioners and therapists do not understand eating disorders very well. They often take a "let's wait and see" approach, delaying treatment and letting a person's eating disorder get worse.
There are many barriers to eating disorder treatment: insurance coverage, cost of care, lack of space in established treatment programs, weight stigma, and more.
So many people assume they're not "sick enough" to deserve help for a life-threatening illness.
Related: This is how to pay for eating disorder treatment, even without insurance coverage.
Types of Early Treatment Interventions
The following treatment interventions will only work when you catch an eating disorder before a person:
Cannot keep themselves from using behaviors without constant supervision
May hurt themselves or others due to the distress that comes with stopping eating disorder behaviors and facing underlying issues
Experiences any physical consequences of an eating disorder
Cannot manage their daily lives
If a person cannot keep themselves safe and stop themselves from using behaviors outside of a treatment person, then it's too late for these early, less life-halting treatment approaches, and it's time to look at a higher level of care such as a residential treatment program.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment usually includes weekly appointments with a therapist, dietician, and psychiatrist, if needed.
This type of treatment is primarily for people who can manage their daily lives for the most part, but need some support to address the underlying issues behind an eating disorder, any co-occurring diagnoses such as anxiety or depression, and to make sure nutritional needs are being met.
Related: This is what comorbid diagnoses are and how they affect eating disorder treatment.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a form of treatment where you come to a treatment facility 3-4 days a week, typically for 3-4 hours a day.
IOP is for someone who needs more than once a week support, but does not need to leave their home or commitments such as school or work.
At Central Coast Treatment Center, patients are able to engage in IOP for 3-5 days per week, depending on their needs. There are also flexible morning, afternoon, and evening program options available to help people access treatment with as little disturbance to their daily lives as possible.
Family Based Treatment
Family based treatment is an evidence-based treatment where the child or young adult (typically up to 24 years old) receives care within the home. Parents/guardians monitor food intake and eating disorder behaviors under the guidance of a therapist who specializes in this treatment approach.
Related: Read more about family based eating disorder treatment and whether it's right for your family.
Community Support Groups
Some individuals can benefit from discussing their eating disorder experience with a group of peers who understand what they're going through.
This type of intervention should only be used if you are confident that you can keep yourself safe physically and mentally. Community support groups do not and cannot replace professional treatment, so try to find an eating disorder treatment provider and use support groups as what they are — a form of support.
Here are free and low-cost community-based support options, with online and in-person options available.
How To Get Early Treatment for (or Even Prevent) Eating Disorders
First, it's important to know the early signs of eating disorders. Read up on the early signs, and talk to younger children about eating disorders, so everyone understands what to look out for.
If you notice yourself or someone around you being secretive about their eating habits, having or voicing negative thoughts about body image, starting up a strict new diet or exercise regimen, or have any concerns about eating disorders in general, reach out for help.
Eating disorders get worse in secrecy and isolation, so the sooner someone says something, the better. It might be a hard conversation to have, but a very worthwhile one.
Next, look into your treatment options. Think about whether you have the:
Support needed to start recovery while living at home
Ability to focus on recovery with all your current responsibilities, and whether there's any way to offload any of your obligations
Insurance coverage to afford treatment
Whether you have been suffering from an eating disorder for a day or a year, your eating disorder is valid and serious. You are also completely capable of recovery — as long as you put your recovery before everything else.
You may have to advocate for yourself a lot while looking for treatment. A lot of people still think that you have to lose weight to have a serious eating disorder, but that's not true. You need treatment now. If a treatment provider doesn't understand the importance of early intervention, then they don't understand how eating disorders work — find yourself a treatment provider who respects your current needs.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, don’t panic. Take the first step today and talk to someone about recovery or learn more about the holistic, flexible eating disorder recovery programs we offer. The faster you or your loved one starts recovery, the easier it will be to make lasting change.