At what point should a person with a eating disorder be hospitalized.........

When !

• The weight is less or equal to that of twenty five percent of normal weight measured by frame and height.
• The the person with the disorder lives in a chaotic environment.
• The persons with the disorder requires specialized medical treatment.
   ( For the above condition admittance is recommended to a medical hospital under a specialized Physician)
• The family is no longer able to function.

Important notes !

It should be noted that hospitalization is not the ultimate towards recovery, but should be rather seen as a contribution towards recovery. Recovery takes years of hard and painful work, both by the person with the disorder and the family. There is NO easy fix to this illness, food should be seen as the symptom of the disorder and not the cause, the food issue is often the easiest part to recover from, developing alternative and healthier life style skills is the hardest.
Over the years our research has indicated that most males/females with the disorder tend to make a higher level of recovery in an out - patient program rather than an intake program.
Once an individual with the disorder has been placed in an intake unit, he/she is in a protected environment. This type of environment makes it easier for the patient to cope with his/her emotions. However most intake units provide social integration once the patient is near discharge. Sadly this procedure is often unsuccessful in its initial stage and often the person with the disorder returns to the intake unit for emotional comfort, thus not being able to develop emotional maturity. One must realize that there comes a time when hospitalization is immanent, mainly for the above reasons as there is no further choice.

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The do's and don'ts

• Treatment is expensive and should not be abused. Remember one day you may wish to recover, sadly funds may no longer be available.
• Familiarize yourself with each treatment program. Each individual has different needs and those needs should be attended to. Make a note of all questions you have prior to assessment and admittance.
• Family members should not criticize the treatment program in front of the sufferer with the disorder, rather approach the head of the treatment team or superintendent. Remember you have rights, all you have to do is exercise them.
• Family members should not threaten a sufferer with hospitalization, this form of punishment is non productive.
• Family members should not allow themselves to be manipulated by promises. ' If you take me out of here, I will eat properly.' Remember disobeying hospital rules creates mistrust and prolongs recovery.
• Whether you are the patient or a family member you have the right to question treatment, be heard and understood as the head of the treatment team is accountable to you!
• The first few days and often a few weeks require a period of orientation, during this period anxiety reaches is maximum, it is essential to deal with this anxiety, or seek help from the treatment team. Discharge from hospital is the easiest way out, but not beneficial in long term. Family and friends should encourage the patient to remain in in the treatment program.
• All patients suffering from a mental disorder have rights, for information on your rights contact your nearest Mental Health office.
  In South Africa. The Johannesburg number for The South African Federation of Mental Health is 011 - 242 - 9600

United States

Canopy Cove	Health Management Institute Tallahassee, Florida	(800) 236-7524
Center For Change	1790 North State Street Orem, Utah 84057	(801)224-8255
The Center Inc. - A Place of Hope	PO Box 700 547 Dayton Edmonds, WA 98020	(888) 771-5166
DePaul - Tulane Behavioral Health Center's Eating Disorders Program	1040 Calhoun Street New Orleans, LA 70118	(800) 548-4183
Forest View Hospital	Psychiatric Hospital 1055 Medical Park Dr., S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546	(800) 949-8439
Green Mountain at Fox Run	Fox Lane, Box 164 Ludlow, Vermont 05149	(802) 228-8885
The Institute Of Living	Hartford Hospital's Mental Health Network 400 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106	(800) 673-2411
La Montagne (Residential Treatment Facility  for Eating Disorders)	3303 Plattin Road, Crystal City, Missouri 63028.	(314) 931-3883
Laureate Eating Disorder Program	6655 South Yale Avenue Tulsa. Oklahoma 74136-3329	(800) 322-5173 Ext. 5600 or (918) 491-5600
Life Force, llc	Tucson, Arizona	Toll Free - (888) 520-1700 or (520) 323-3734
Medical University of South Carolina Eating Disorders Program	Charleston, SC	(843) 792-1414 or (800) 424-MUSC
Medical Center at Princeton Eating Disorder Program	Princeton, New Jersey	(609) 497-4490
Menninger Eating Disorders Program	P.O. Box 829 Topeka, KS 66601-0829	(913) 350-5553 or (800) 351-9058
Methodist Hospital	Health System Minnesota Eating Disorders Institute 6500 Excelsion Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55426	(612) 993-6200
Monte Nido	(Mountain Nest) 27162 Sea Vista Dr. Malibu, CA., 90265	(310) 457-9958
The Rader Programs	26560 Agoura Rd. Suite108 Calabasas CA 91302	800-841-1515 Fax (818) 880-3750
Remuda Ranch	Center for Anorexia and Bulimia One E. Pache Wickenburg, Arizona 85358	(800) 445-1900
The Renfrew Center	-Philadelphia -South Florida -New York City -Northern New Jersey -Long Island (800) RENFREW	Refer to web site
Rogers Memorial Hospital	Eating Disorder Center 34700 Valley Road Oconomowoc, WI 53066	(800) 767-4411
Rosewood Women's Center for Anorexia, Bulimia and Related Disorders	36075 South Rincon Road Wickenburg, AZ 85390	(800) 280-1212 or (877) 749-6636
St. Joseph Medical Center The Center for Eating Disorders	Towson, MD 21208	(410) 427-2100
Sierra Tucson	16500 N. Lago del Oro Pkwy Tucson, AZ 85739	(800) 842-4487
Shades of Hope Treatment Center	P.O. Box 639 Buffalo Gap, Texas 75908	(800) 588-HOPE (4673)
Swedish Medical Center	Eating Disorders Program Seattle, WA	(206) 781-6345
Westwood Pembroke Health System	Affiliate of Charter Behavioral Health Systems	(617) 762-7764 x488
The Willough	9001 Tamiami Trail East Naples, Florida	(800) 722-0100 or (941)775-4500

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