This information is intended to give parents some very basic tips on how to deal with a son or daughter with an eating disorder. These suggestions are not meant to minimize the extreme complexity of eating disorders nor is this a substitute for treatment. These are simply guidelines to help give parents some insight into some of the difficulties they may be having with their loved one. Please consult with a professional for assistance.

3 Basic Strategies:

1. Disengage from the eating disorder
2. Develop a healthier relationship
3. Examine the family's rules and structure and make appropriate, healthy changes

Suggestions:

1. Focus on feelings and interpersonal relationships, not food and weight
2. Be patient, loving, supportive and firm.
3. Try to maintain as normal and healthy a lifestyle as possible.
4. Talk directly to the person with the eating disorder about your concerns and seek professional help.
5. Don't play the role of the "food police". Allow the family member with the eating disorder to take responsibility for his/her behavior and consult with the professionals about how to proceed.
6. Relate to the person, not the eating disorder. Don't let the person's identity be defined by his/her eating disorder. Make it clear that your feelings for that person don't depend on his/her weight, shape or eating habits.
7. Improve communication between family members and promote self-expression for each member.

References: Brisman, J., Siegel, M. Weinshel, M. (1997). Surviving an eating disorder. New York: HarperCollins. Costin, C. (1997). Your dieting daughter: Is she dying for attention? New York: Brunner/Mazel. Garfinkel, P.E., Garner, D.M. (1997). Handbook of treatment for eating disorders. New York: Guilford. Levine, M.P. & Hill, L. (1993) 5 Day Lesson Plan on Eating Disorders. Columbus, OH: National Eating Disorder Organization.

back to top

• Constant thoughts about your weight
• Enjoy cooking for others but not for yourself
• Find that your weight determines your mood for the day
• Avoid eating with family and friends
• Feel guilty after you eat
• Frequently compare your body size and shape to others
• Weight fluctuates drastically over short time spans
• Compulsively exercise
• Preoccupation with the eating behaviors of other people
• Menstrual irregularities
• Eating to relieve stress or depression
• Self-induced vomiting
• Laxative abuse
• Diuretic abuse
• Constant concern of being fat
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased isolation
• Hair loss
• Preoccupation with nutrition, calories, food, cooking, and exercise
• Frequent weighing of self
• Binge uncontrollably on large amounts of food to the point of feeling sick
• Participation in frequent diets
• Lying to others about how you eat
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Dizzy spells, fainting, or blackouts
• Always feel cold
• Fine body hair on your body
• Swollen puffy cheeks
• Feel confused about your emotions or fear of expressing them
• Skip school or work because you feel fat or sick
• Eat the same rigid foods all the time
• Workout even when injured or sick
• Decline social engagements because you have to work out
• Extremes in exercise regimen, either exercise excessively or not at all
• Loss of interest in things you use to enjoy
• Purchase clothing based on the size instead of the fit

back to top

We realize that making the decision to seek treatment for an eating disorder, whether it's you or a loved one, can be extremely difficult. Our goal is to make the admission process to our center uncomplicated yet thorough. Below are several important steps in our admission process.

1. Free Initial Consultation by phone
2. Insurance verification/Financial arrangements
3. Medical Clearance
   
   The Center for Discovery is a residential treatment center able to provide medical care for most adolescents with eating disorders who are declared stable by a physician. However, we are not a medical hospital with 24-hour medical staff. Our Medical Director meets with the residents for an initial examination and subsequently meets with residents weekly. Therefore, it is extremely important that we find out prior to admission if an individual is appropriate for our facility or if they require a higher level of care, such as a medical hospital.
   
   The following form will be faxed to your child's medical doctor:
   
   Medical Screening form:
   This is a three-page document to be filled out by the child's personal physician when the child goes for an examination. This form requires the doctor to fill out the appropriate information and attach the required tests and then fax the information to our Medical Director to review. Intake will discuss with the parents whether the child was medically cleared for admission.
   
   
4. We will also assist you in any way we can with flight information, local hotels and other such information.

back to top

The Center for Discovery is committed to providing the highest standard of care while minimizing fees as much as possible. Program costs are based on a standard day rate with additional fees for extenuating medical and lab fees. Many insurance carriers offer reimbursement for residential treatment. We will assist in verifying coverage for you.

back to top

Intake will assist you and contact your insurance company. Center for Discovery is contracted with many insurance companies. If we are not contracted with your insurance company, they may still cover treatment costs.

If you have any further questions, please email us at contactus@centerfordiscovery.com or call us at 800-760-3934.

back to top