Can being hospitalized for anorexia be helpful for recovery?

Dear Future-In-Question, 

Thank you for sharing your history with anorexia treatment. This disorder is complex and experienced differently by everyone who has it. Because of this, individualized treatment plans are often a large part of recovery. There are various supervised care options for anorexia, including 24-hour or partial hospitalization and residential programs, as well as therapy and medication. Hospitalization is typically recommended for those who are experiencing life-threatening symptoms and require immediate care. While hospitalization might not fully prevent future relapse, current research suggests that continued care following hospitalization may help support the recovery process. To learn more about anorexia, supervised care, and other treatments, continue reading. 

What is anorexia? 

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder involving extreme calorie restriction that may lead to malnutrition and weight loss. This condition may also involve fear of weight gain and a distorted view of one’s body. While anorexia is typically associated with low body weight, this isn’t always the case. Because the appearance of one’s body isn’t always an accurate indicator of anorexia, discussing concerns with a health care professional is highly recommended. 

What types of supervised care are available for anorexia? 

Supervised care for anorexia may occur in a hospital, a specialized facility, or at home. The amount of time spent in care may depend on factors like insurance, medical complications, and symptom severity. Some forms of treatment include: 

• Acute inpatient care: This takes place in a hospital setting. Typically, this option is meant for those experiencing life-threatening symptoms or who may require supervised and controlled eating, tubed feeding, or nutritional supplements. The length of inpatient care may range from a few days to a few weeks and is focused on stabilizing patients with anorexia. 
• Residential treatment: This treatment provides 24-hour support in the form of supervised eating, nutrition education, and therapy or counseling in a specialized facility. Typically, patients who temporarily live in these facilities interact with each other through guided activities and group therapy sessions.
• Partial hospitalization: This takes place in a hospital, however, unlike acute hospitalization and residential treatment, patients may return home for the evenings. This care is typically suggested for those who are in a stabilized condition but still require supervision and structured aid.
• Outpatient treatment: While care takes place at home, this type of treatment still incorporates structured therapy sessions and other forms of individualized treatment such as meal planning. This form of treatment may be used to transition patients back to daily life after spending time in a hospital or specialized facility. Outpatient treatment could also be used as a standalone treatment for those with less severe symptoms of anorexia.  

List adapted from VeryWell Mind  

Finding a form of treatment that works best for you isn’t always an easy task. If your gut is telling you that it’s time for hospitalization, to may be worth continuing to discuss your concerns with your therapist and parents. You may also find it beneficial to seek out the opinion of another health care professional. Getting another medical perspective may give you more insight into your current condition and your treatment options. 

Who benefits from hospitalized care? 

The benefits of supervised care depend on many individualized factors, some of which include family support, continued therapeutic support following care, and exposure to potential relapse triggers. The research on relapse rates following hospitalization may also be impacted by factors such as length of hospital stay, severity of condition, and environment following hospital release. While some studies report high relapse rates following acute inpatient care, recent research suggests that continued monitoring following hospital release may lower these rates.  

What other treatments and resources are available? 

Therapy is often a large component of anorexia treatment, regardless of the type of treatment. If hospitalization or residential treatment isn’t right for you, therapy can still be crucial for recovery. Some forms of therapy recommended for those in anorexia recovery include: 

• Adolescent-focused psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• Focal psychodynamic therapy
• Maudsley anorexia nervosa treatment for adults (MANTRA)
• Specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM) 

List adapted from National Health Service  

Treatment may also include medications such as antidepressants, which can help with mental health conditions associated with anorexia. Medication is typically paired with therapy and not as a standalone treatment. 

While limited space in care facilities and insurance may influence the treatment you have access to, you may still find it useful to explore what’s available through the National Eating Disorders Association. 

Seeking out support and continuing to advocate for the treatment you think is best might be challenging but could result in the best recovery plan. Finding the right care can be incredibly rewarding and is a great step toward your recovery goals.  

Wishing you all the best,