Trauma, abuse, abandonment, and neglect place an individual at risk for the development of an eating disorder, including:

• Food restriction
• Binge eating
• Purging
• Compulsive exercise
• Compulsive overeating
• Body image disturbance

Our treatment team has developed an eating disorder program based on years of experience in the field of eating disorders, as well as trauma therapy and compulsive behaviors. The client’s need for safety, personal empowerment, and control are respected and acknowledged while clients learn to tolerate emotions without the use of symptoms.

If you or someone you know has three or more of the following symptoms, a professional assessment for a mental health treatment program is highly recommended:

• Excessive weight loss in a short period of time
• Dissatisfaction with appearance; belief the body is fat, even when underweight
• Loss or disturbance of menstrual cycle
• Eating in secret
• Obsession with exercise
• Vomiting or use of drugs to stimulate vomiting
• Binging but no noticeable weight gain
• Disappearance to the bathroom for long periods of time to induce vomiting after meals
• Symptoms of depression, including withdrawing from activities and isolation
• Eating patterns affected by boredom, frustration, depression, and anxiety
• Excessive preoccupation with weight and thinness
• Frequent use of laxatives or diuretics

The eating disorders track focuses on uncovering and understanding the unique meaning and function of the symptoms for each individual while developing skills for symptom containment and relapse prevention.

The program also addresses co-existing addictions and compulsive disorders when recommended by the treatment team. Our program helps clients explore and understand their eating problems and compulsive behaviors in the context of unresolved trauma while providing a safe and supportive healing environment.

The individual is guided and supported, through an individualized treatment plan, to develop a relationship with food, themselves, and others. Patients address underlying conflicts and emotions and are supported in developing the ability to make and sustain healthy life choices and commitments.

Specific therapeutic modalities may include the following:

• Intensive individual psychotherapy
• Eating disorders group therapy
• Body image group
• Expressive and movement therapies
• In Vivo Gentle Eating groups
• Trauma therapy
• Nutritional therapy, menu planning, and education
• Daily relapse prevention groups
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Psychodrama, art therapy, and music therapy
• Meditation and guided imagery
• Family and marital therapy

For more information about the specialized programs at River Oaks Hospital, call 800-366-1740. Staff will be happy to assist with questions and tours of the campus.

Admissions to The Eating Disorders Treatment Center at River Oaks Hospital are scheduled to ensure our patients receive the best care possible within the scope of services we provide. If you would like to begin the admission process, please see our referral information and access our referral form.