CCED answers all your questions about eating disorders. Contact us or read our blog to learn more about eating disorders.
We encourage you to browse our Website and further educate yourself on eating disorders. In addition, we’ve answered some common questions regarding eating disorders and eating disorder treatment below. If you have additional questions, we encourage you to speak with our Trusted Specialist to learn more.
What do I do if I think I have (or my loved one has) an eating disorder?
If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, the first step is to ask for help. Contact CCED to arrange an assessment with a qualified clinician, who can then guide you in identifying an appropriate treatment plan. If you are under the age of 18, or otherwise dependent on your parents/guardians, ask them for help first.
If you do not live in Northeast Ohio area, CCED may be able to provide you with appropriate referrals.
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Did I cause my child’s Eating Disorder?
No. Contrary to commonly held theories, an eating disorder is not a “diet gone bad” and is not typically linked with overly controlling parents, or a history of sexual abuse.
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Why does an Eating Disorder happen?
There are many theories that seek to explain why and how an eating disorder develops. CCED’s treatment philosophy is based on a biosocial theory of development. Generally speaking, this theory suggests that multiple factors may play a role in the development of an eating disorder.
Biologically, research evidence suggests that eating disorders are genetically based and thus “pre-wired.” Psychologically, some individuals may have a temperament, which makes them more susceptible to development of an eating disorder. Finally, if genetics are the predisposing factor, the social environment can be viewed as the “trigger” in the development of an eating disorder.
Triggers could include an ill-placed comment from peers or family members; an increased amount of stress; media-based exposure; or well-intentioned education about health.
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How do I seek treatment?
The first step in getting treatment is contacting an eating disorder treatment center in your area and requesting information.
Contact CCED if you live in the Northeast Ohio region. If you do not live in the Northeast Ohio area, we recommend the following websites to find treatment programs in your area:
http://www.joyproject.org;
http://www.behavioraltech.org/;
http://www.maudsleyparents.org/.
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What Will My First Assessment/Visit Be Like?
During your first visit to CCED — expect about 90 minutes — you will be assessed by a qualified clinician, where you will be asked to describe your history of problematic behaviors. This may include: weight loss or gain; a drastic change in eating habits, quantities, or types of food; increasing focus or obsession with exercise, frequency of purging (voluntarily throwing-up food), use of laxatives, social isolation or withdrawal; and changes in work/school habits or inability to concentrate.
If you are a minor attending with your parents, you (the minor) will speak with the clinician alone, followed by your parents.
At the close of the assessment, the clinician will discuss the most appropriate treatment options for you. Also, you will be given a sheet for your medical doctor with instructions about lab tests and records we require for admission to our treatment program.
We understand that this is a scary and vulnerable time, and that you may have many questions and uncertainties. Our clinicians work to conduct the assessment in a supportive and caring manner and will help you understand the assessment, diagnostic and treatment processes.
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How Do I Know I Am Asking for the Correct Level of Care?
The term “level of care” is a clinical term, which essentially means “the most appropriate plan of treatment in the least restrictive setting possible.” This term will be important not only for yourself, but also for helping your insurance company to determine your benefits.
There are many levels of care available clinically for treatment of an eating disorder: meal support, support groups, individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), day treatment/partial hospitalization (DTP/PHP), residential treatment, and inpatient treatment.
CCED offers care at the meal support, individual, family, DTP therapy and IOP levels of care. If you require a different level of care, we will make an appropriate referral following your assessment appointment. The clinician conducting your assessment will make a level of care recommendation based on your individual needs and treatment history.
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What if I Have Not Successfully Treated My Eating Disorder in the Past?
Like anxiety or depression, an eating disorder is a mental disorder, which most people will be at risk for a lifetime. Our treatment is designed to support individuals in regaining mental, emotional and physical strength so that they may learn and use skills to control their eating disorder throughout their lives. These skills are taught in the format of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Many of our clients have a history of working on recovery from their eating disorder. We believe that treatment is a process, as is recovery, and that individuals may need varying levels of support throughout their recovery.
We welcome all individuals, from those newly diagnosed to those who have been working towards recovery for many years. We will build a treatment program to adapt to your individual needs. And, even if you feel you have been unsuccessful in the past, we will not give up on you ever.
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How Long Does Treatment Take?
Typically speaking, treatment occurs in two main stages: acute and on-going. At CCED, the acute stage will comprise the periods of weight restoration and re-gaining control of behaviors. This often occurs in our Day Treatment Program (DTP) and the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
For both adolescents and adults, clients who enter these programs will be typically in group for a minimum of two weeks; four to six weeks in DTP therapy and another two to four weeks in IOP.
Clients who require on-going treatment will need varying lengths of treatment, from a “booster” to refocus the continuing recovery process to on-going long-term individual counseling. All decisions regarding treatment length are made by the client and their therapist, in conjunction with the recommendations of the treatment team.
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How Will I Pay for Treatment?
CCED works with a majority of insurance providers. During the assessment process, we will contact your insurance company to identify your plan benefits. In most cases, we are able to form a “single-case agreement” with insurance companies with whom we do not have a standing contract. This essentially is an agreement by an insurance company to cover a portion of service cost (usually in the range of 80-90 percent), which will be reimbursed to you the client. We are able to develop a single-case agreement with many managed care programs sponsored by Medicaid.
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What if I Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio?
Many of our clients travel 1-2 hours each way to attend treatment services at CCED. However, if you are not within a daily travel range, Ronald McDonald House — located adjacent to Cleveland Clinic’s main campus — might be an option. Adolescents and their parents are able to stay here while they are in our treatment program.
Unfortunately, the Ronald McDonald House is not an option for adults seeking treatment. However, there are several inexpensive hotel options in the immediate vicinity. Please Contact Us for additional information on local hotels, or for referrals if you require services outside of the Northeast Ohio area.
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