Treatment and finding help

*For help and support for anorexia and bulimia, call1-800-931-2237, a toll-free hotline offered by the National Eating Disorders Association.

Important recovery tips from anorexia and bulimia involves:
• Learning to listen to your body
• Learning to listen to your feelings
• Learning to trust yourself
• Learning to accept yourself
• Learning to love yourself

Eating disorder treatment step #1: Find a specialist
The first step in eating disorder treatment is finding a doctor or therapist who specializes in anorexia and bulimia. As you search, focus on finding the right fit. Your relationship with your doctor or therapist is important to the recovery process. Look for someone who makes you feel comfortable, accepted, and safe.
Eating disorder treatment referrals
• National Eating Disorders Association
• Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center
• Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders
To find an eating disorder treatment specialist in your area:
• Ask your primary care doctor for a referral
• Search online at the eating disorder websites listed to the right
• Check with local hospitals or medical centers
• Ask your school counselor or nurse
• Call the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-931-2237 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST)
Eating disorder treatment step #2: Address health problems
Anorexia and bulimia can be deadly–and not just if you’re drastically underweight. Your health may be in danger, even if you only occasionally fast, binge, or purge, so it’s important to get a full medical evaluation. If the evaluation reveals health problems, they should take top treatment priority. Nothing is more important than your physical well-being. If you’re suffering from any other life-threatening problem, you may need to be hospitalized. While the thought of hospitalization may be scary, try to remember that it’s sole purpose is to keep you safe!
Eating disorder treatment step #3: Make a long-term treatment plan
Once your health problems are under control, you and your doctor or therapist can work on a long-term recovery plan. First, you’ll need to assemble a complete eating disorder treatment team. Your team might include a family doctor, a psychologist, a nutritionist, a social worker, and a psychiatrist. Then you and your team will develop a treatment plan that’s individualized to meet your needs.
Your eating disorder treatment plan may include:
- Inpatient treatment
- Individual or group therapy
- Family therapy
- Eating disorder education
- Nutritional counseling
- Medical monitoring

What to look for in an eating disorders treatment program
An effective treatment program for an eating disorder doesn’t just address your symptoms and destructive eating habits. It also explores the root causes of the problem—the emotional triggers, your self-image, your sense of hopelessness and helplessness, and your difficulty coping with stress, anxiety, fear, and sadness. And it doesn’t stop there. Good eating disorder treatment also prepares you for life after the program and includes an aftercare plan.
Eating disorder support groups
Anorexia and bulimia are difficult to overcome without support. It’s important to have people you can turn to when you need a sympathetic ear or a word of encouragement. While family and friends can be a huge help, you may also want to join an eating disorder support group. Participating in an eating disorder support group can help you feel less isolated. They provide a safe environment where you can talk freely about your eating disorder and get advice and support from people who know what you’re going through.
Online support for eating disorders
You can find online help for anorexia and bulimia at Internet support groups, chat rooms, and forums. Online resources are particularly helpful if you’re not ready to seek face-to-face help or you don’t have an eating disorder support group in your area.
There are many types of eating disorder support groups. Some are led by professional therapists, while others are moderated by trained volunteers or people who have recovered from an eating disorder.
To find an eating disorder support group in your area:
• Ask your doctor or therapist for a referral
• Call local hospitals and universities
• Call local eating disorder centers and clinics
• Visit your school’s counseling center
• Search the National Eating Disorders Association’s database of free support groups.