Whether you’re affected by an eating disorder or know someone who is, we will give you information that may be helpful for you or someone you love.

Although eating disorders are classified as psychological disorders, treatment requires a multidisciplinary treatment team of a physician, a registered dietitian, and one or more mental health professionals, such as a psychotherapist and/or psychiatrist. Depending on symptoms/organ systems and family members involved, the treatment may include a dentist, a family therapist, a nephrologist, a cardiologist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, other nurses, a physical therapist, and/or other specialists. In the event a patient needs medical stabilization, we strongly encourage patients to seek medical attention in an inpatient rehabilitation center. Patient education and change with the support of a Registered Dietitian is impossible until the immediate symptoms of starvation are treated in an inpatient setting.

Typically patients suffering from eating disorders present with abnormal eating patterns, obsessive ideation about body size and weight, and distorted body image. Every situation is unique and each patient should be assessed and treated as an individual. We will determine what our patients want to achieve and why he or she is there (if only there because he or she is being forced, it is up to the RD and other treatment professionals to decide the course of treatment). Establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship with patients is our foremost HIGH PRIORITY while we ensure confidentiality.

Once meeting with an RD, a “Nutrition Assessment” will be performed which can include, “Food and Nutrition-Related History, Anthropometric Measurements, Biochemical Data, Medical Tests, and Procedures review, Nutrition-Focused Physical Findings, and Client History”. Body weight may or may not need to be monitored, depending on the patient’s medical stability and current weight status. However under some circumstances, it is crucial that one team member—the physician, nurse, or RD—be responsible for regular weighing.

Nutrition assessment and reassessment should be performed weekly or biweekly for a patient who is medically stable enough to be seen as an outpatient. At least one GOAL for nutrition therapy will be developed with the patient during each visit. We also understand the potential and overwhelmingly psychological distress during these processes, a mental health professional can help the process.