Most people who do not suffer from eating disorders maintain the misconception that eating disorders are no big deal. They think that it is just an extreme diet that you can stop at any time to get healthy and back to "normal." However, as you well know, this is not the case at all. Eating disorders are complicated mental and physical disorders that often require comprehensive treatment to overcome and manage. As a sufferer of an eating disorder, you may wonder what treatment options are available to you. So, get to know the different options available to you, and get to the work of healing your mind and body. 

Psychiatric Care

Psychiatry is an important part of any eating disorder treatment program. Eating disorders are not just about the physical damage you do to your body. They are also about the mental state that leads you to that point. In order to recover from your eating disorder and to get healthy again, you need to figure out the root of your problem. 

A psychiatrist will help you to figure out why you developed an eating disorder and will help you to treat those underlying issues that lead you to greatly restrict your food intake, overexercise, or binge and purge. Oftentimes, the root cause is not what you think. Eating disorders are rarely just about wanting to lose weight for the sake of it. They often stem from insecurities and issues you may not even realize you have. 

Medical and Dental Care

Even if you do not partake in psychiatric care to help treat your eating disorder, you will need to attend to the physical damage your body has endured. This can include IV fluids and nutrients, treatment for infections, and damage to your teeth and gums.

When you do not eat properly or purge yourself of all food you take in, your body suffers all of the effects of malnutrition that people who are starving endure. Depending on how long your disordered eating has been going on, the extent of your body's damage varies. However, medical care will be required to ensure that you can get healthy once more.

Support Groups

Once you have an eating disorder, it never goes away completely. You can recover, but if you are not careful, you can easily slip back into old habits. Support groups are an excellent way to keep this from happening to you.

You will be surrounded by people who have been undergoing the same difficulties that you have, and who suffer from eating disorders as well. Because eating disorders are so complex and difficult to understand for those who have not suffered through them, a support group will provide you with the best care and guidance. Others in the group will help to keep you on track and healthy.

As you can see, there are several treatment options available to you for your eating disorder. Whether you choose just one of these options or a combination of all of them, they will help you get back on track to a healthy, full life.