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Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment in California
Twenty million women and 10 million men in the US will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Eating disorders are often associated with feelings of shame and guilt, making seeking help challenging. Virtual mental health is increasingly in popularity as an option for eating disorder treatment.
Enhance Health Group in Orange County, CA provides virtual mental health treatment including for eating disorders. Therapeutic services are offered on a virtual platform in addition to nutrition guidance from a registered dietitian.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious yet complex mental illnesses. These mental health disorders are characterized by disturbance in thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors toward eating, food, and body shape or weight. Consequently, eating disorders can have detrimental impacts and serious psychological, psychiatric, and medical problems.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), Fifth Edition classifies eating disorders based on symptoms and includes:
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) – avoiding certain foods based on sensory characteristics, lack of interest in food or eating without the concern for weight or body shape
- Binge eating disorder (BED) – most common eating disorder in the United States and consists of overeating foods in a short period of time beyond the point of fullness
- Bulimia nervosa – cycle of behaviors between binge eating and removing food from the body via laxative, other medications or self-induced vomiting
- Anorexia nervosa – severe restriction of food due to body image, weight ideal, or fear of gaining weight. Consists of subcategories restricting type and binge eating/purging type.
- Unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) – diagnosis used when most of the criteria for a specific eating disorder are met, but a few symptoms have not been met
- Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) – do not meet all of the criteria for anoerxia or builimia but still have significant disordered eating behaviors. Night eating syndrome and purging disorder also fit into this category.
- Pica – eating items that are not normally classified as food and have no nutritional value
- Rumination Disorder – repeated regurgitation and re-chewing of food after eating
Best Treatment for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are associated with numerous physical and psychological comorbidities and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Despite the high prevalence and serious consequences of eating disorders, oftentimes, they remain untreated.
Barriers to treatment include:
- Lack of access to specialty care
- Transportation difficulties
- Work and child-care obligations
- Limited resources
- Stigma
Telehealth has the potential to address some of these barriers by providing individualized care in the comfort and privacy of patients’ homes. At Enhance Health Group, we provide virtual eating disorder treatment in California. We use proven treatment plans to help with emotional and physical health. Additionally, our techniques can help improve eating habits and lifestyles.
Virtual Mental Health
Virtual mental health (also known as telehealth) is a growing field that offers mental health services via video conferencing. This program can be particularly beneficial for those with eating disorders who may have difficulty accessing traditional in-person care.
Virtual mental health programs include various services, ranging from assessments to therapy to support groups. Customization of the programs can help with meeting the unique individual needs. For example, some of our programs may focus on helping individuals develop healthy coping skills. In contrast, others may focus on helping them maintain their weight or recover from an eating disorder.
Virtual Mental Health
Virtual mental health programs offer a convenient and confidential way to receive treatment for eating disorders. These kinds of programs can also be a cost-effective option for those who do not have insurance or looking to save.
Anonymity
Virtual mental health platforms provide eating disorder treatment with a unique level of anonymity. Eating disorders are often associated with feelings of shame and guilt over eating behaviors. Shame and guilt can cause hesitations when trying to seek help from a traditional treatment setting. Virtual eating disorder treatment can be helpful when feelings of uncomfortability arise from discussing eating disorder behaviors or difficulities expressing thoughts and feelings.
Convenience
Virtual mental health for eating disorders can provide flexibility to receive care from anywhere in the world, at any time. The services provide a convenient option when access traditional care is challenging. Virtual mental health services can be accessed from any location with an internet connection, making it easier to receive care that is needed. In addition, virtual therapy can be more convenient when accessing traditional therapy services is difficult.
Lower Cost
Another incredible benefit of virtual eating disorder treatment is the lower cost than traditional face-to-face therapy. This is due to several factors, including that virtual therapy does not require the same office space and overhead costs as traditional therapy. In addition, virtual therapists can often see more patients on a given day than traditional therapists, which helps to offset the cost of providing care. As a result, virtual IOP and PHP eating disorder programs are often more affordable.
Access to Specialists
While there are many potential benefits to seeking virtual mental health care for eating disorders, one of the most significant is the increased access to specialists. Finding a qualified mental health professional can be difficult when living in rural or underserved areas. Even in major cities, waitlists for specialist care are often long.
Eating Disorder telehealth allows the ability to get in touch with specialists from anywhere in the country without working about travel or scheduling logistics. Virtual mental health can provide much-needed access to treatment for specialized care.
What to Expect from the Online Teleheath Program
To participate in virtual eating disorder treatment all that is needed is an elctronic device, access to the internet, and a private space. Many insurance companies are now covering virtual mental health treatment, including treatment for eating disorders.
Here are a few things to expect from our telehealth program:
Two-way, live interactive digital video and/or telephone communication
Therapeutic visits through zoom and other virtual platforms that adhere to HIPAA compliance requirements
Dietitians and licensed clinicians
Nutrition and meal guidance
Get Help with Enhance Health Group
Eating disorders are a challenging mental health condition that can manifest with a variety of symptoms. Treatment for eating disorders can include different types of pscyhotherapy and nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian. To make treatment as convienent as possible, virtual eating disorder outpatient treatment is now available.
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, reach out to the Enhance Health Group today. Our team can answer any questions you may have and give you a better understanding of our virtual eating disorder program.