Question : Eating disorder treatment?
I’m getting assessed by a doctor on Tuesday but I’m just curious and trying to figure out if I can stay in college while getting treated.
-I’m 19, 5′ 7″ or so, about 100 pounds, been thin my whole life but have been losing weight recently
-periods have pretty much stopped, I get dizzy a lot and sometimes have trouble remembering things and concentrating (I also have slight depression)
-don’t binge, purge, or purposely restrict
-eat very little in quantity
-have very little variety
-don’t think I’m fat and have those body issues
I think it might just be restrictive eating and selective eating disorder that develop when I was very young and has stayed with me. I know that I don’t have anorexia, bulimia, or a typical eating disorder.
Do you think they’ll recommend residential treatment or partial hospitilization? Will it help since I don’t have one of those typical eating disorders? My social worker said I need more help than he can provide me. I can’t just make myself eat, but I can’t explain why.
residential eating disorder treatment

Best answer:

Answer by Felix
I don’t think you’ll be put in in-patient treatment unless you are refusing food altogether for long periods of time. The fact that it’s causing you health problems is bad though; if anything’s going to put you in in-patient, it’ll be that. It’s likely you’ll have slightly more intensive therapy than you’ve been used to, though.

I’d reccomend increasing your in-take bit by bit. Just little bit, like half a biscuit more or whatever. Also, there are nutrient shakes out there designed for those with eating disorders or those who have trouble keeping their food down that contain lots of vitamins and good stuff your body needs.

A few things: the BMI required for an anorexia diagnosis is 17.5 (whoah, that’s lower than I expected!) and you have a BMI of 15.7, so you’re well within the requirements. Anorexia isn’t solely dependant on the purposeful restriction of food; it can also be diagnosed because of lack of appetite (anorexia translated means lack of appetite). Furthermore, if you’ve missed three months ormore of your period, you’re further eligible for the diagnosis.

As for the Selective Eating thing…Does this sound familiar? An anxiety about eating particular foods based on texture, taste, smell, appearance or other factors. It’s sometimes characterised as a form of OCD. It’s true that people with SED have an extremely limited range of foods that they will eat, but aside from that, based on your description, I see no other connection.

I’m waffling now. Ignore me.