Key Takeaways

  • Partial hospitalization for eating disorders offers intense treatment without necessitating full-time hospitalization.
  • People with body dysmorphia typically also have eating problems like anorexia, which need particular treatment.
  • To help people get well, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) include treatment, medical monitoring, and organized meals.
  • These programs fill the gap between hospitalization and treatment at home.
  • Addressing body image distortions early reduces the chance of recurrence and enhances long-term recovery results.

Introduction

When you have an eating disorder, you typically have to deal with more than just food-related problems. You may also have to deal with deeper psychological issues, such as body dysmorphia. Many people with anorexia or other eating disorders have a warped perception of their body, which leads to restricted eating habits and makes it hard to get well.

Partial hospitalization for eating disorders is an excellent treatment option for those who require organized care but want some freedom. PHPs provide extensive assistance throughout the day and let patients go home at night, which is different from complete inpatient hospitalization. This balance allows people to be independent while yet getting complete medical, psychological, and dietary care.

What Does It Mean to Be Partially Hospitalized for an Eating Disorder?

Partial hospitalization is an organized, intense treatment option for people who need more help than outpatient care can provide but don’t need to be in the hospital all the time. When it comes to eating disorder hospitalization, PHPs include:

  • Individual and group treatment sessions every day.
  • Help with nutrition and meal preparation that is closely monitored.
  • Medical surveillance to ensure safety and physical stability.
  • Family engagement to make support networks stronger.
  • Training on coping strategies to help people deal with things that make them want to eat poorly.

This style lets people stay at home while getting the therapeutic advantages of a regimented hospital-like atmosphere.

How Can Body Dysmorphia Affect Eating Disorders?

Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is when people obsess about perceived defects in their appearance, which are typically far worse than they really are. People with anorexia and other eating disorders may have these skewed views, which may lead to very stringent dietary restrictions, excessive exercise, or other detrimental activities to make up for what they consume.

A clinical case study highlights how BDD can overlap with avoidant/restrictive eating behaviors, worsening recovery outcomes without targeted therapy (Milligan & Middleman, 2022).

If not addressed, body dysmorphia may make the cycle of disordered eating worse. Partial hospitalization for eating disorders takes a holistic approach to rehabilitation by treating both the eating problem and the body image issues that cause it.

Why Pick a Partial Hospitalization Program Instead of Full Hospitalization?

A lot of individuals worry whether they need to stay in the hospital for eating disorders or if PHP is enough. The optimal amount of treatment depends on how stable the person’s health is and how bad their eating problem is. Partial hospitalization is most appropriate for persons who:

  • They are medically stable but require intensive daily support.
  • Need supervised meals and nutritional guidance.
  • Struggle with body dysmorphia impacting their eating behaviors.
  • Have recently been discharged from inpatient care and need step-down support.

Outcomes research has shown that properly designed PHPs are highly effective, with substantial reductions in eating disorder symptoms and improved functionality (Brown et al., 2018).

What Kinds of Therapy Do PHPs Use for Eating Disorders?

Partial hospitalization for eating disorders treats both physical and emotional requirements comprehensively. Some common types of therapy are:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps people question wrong ideas they have about their bodies and food.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches people how to control their emotions and be more aware of their thoughts and actions.
  • Nutritional counseling helps people create a healthy connection with food by teaching them how to plan and prepare meals.
  • Family-Based Therapy (FBT): This kind of therapy includes family members in the rehabilitation process to make people more responsible and get more support.
  • Medical and psychiatric monitoring keeps patients safe while treating other illnesses that may be present at the same time, such as sadness or anxiety.

This technique makes sure that both anorexia symptoms and body dysmorphia are treated at the same time, not separately.

How Do PHPs Help People Stay Sober and Recover Over Time?

Body Dysmorphia

Getting well from an eating disorder isn’t only about getting back to a healthy weight or eating normally. It’s also about dealing with the mental and emotional issues that caused the disease in the first place. Patients may benefit from partial hospitalization programs in the following ways:

  • Learn how to deal with bothersome thoughts about your body.
  • Stop relying on evil actions to feel good about yourself.
  • After treatment hours, practice relapse prevention skills in real life.
  • When you’re ready, make the switch to outpatient therapy securely.

PHPs get people prepared for long-term stability by combining structure with real-world experience.

Conclusion

Body dysmorphia and eating disorders like anorexia can make each other worse, which makes recovery hard. Partial hospitalization for eating disorders is a good option since it combines the intense treatment of a hospital with the freedom of living at home. PHPs help people develop a better self-image and stay sober by giving them therapy, dietary advice, and family support.

If you or someone you care about is struggling, know that help is available. At Virtue Eating Disorder, our specialist programs are meant to provide people with eating disorders and other diseases the caring, evidence-based treatment they need. To learn how we can assist you on your path to healing and long-term rehabilitation, please call us now at 866-461-3339.

FAQs

What is the difference between complete and partial hospitalization for eating disorders?

Partial hospitalization offers rigorous daytime therapy without necessitating overnight stays, hence enhancing flexibility compared to inpatient care.

Can partial hospitalization help those with severe anorexia?

Inpatient hospitalization is indicated for severe or medically unstable conditions. PHP is appropriate for people who are stable and require a lot of help.

What does partial hospitalization do to aid with body dysmorphia?

It combines therapy to help people with eating disorders with treatment to help people with body image problems, so both concerns are dealt with at the same time.

Does partial hospitalization for eating disorders include family involvement?

Yes. A lot of PHPs suggest family therapy to make the household a safe place for recovery.

What happens once you finish a PHP?

Most people proceed to outpatient treatment for continued therapy and help with preventing recurrence.

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