An eating disorder is not just an issue with food or eating—it is a genuine mental health issue that may take years to cope with in a healthy manner. In order to treat an issue of this seriousness, it is incredibly important to take a full-spectrum, holistic approach to treating the illness. This includes a number of steps you must take that may not seem obvious at first. In this guide, we will go over four essential aspects of treating an eating disorder.

Medical Treatment

Eating disorders can be fatal or severely damaging to your body. One of the most important steps you can take to minimize the chances of harm is to seek out the help of medical professionals that specialize in working with eating disorders. This includes psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritional specialists, and others who have the tools and the skillset to help get through an eating disorder.

Proper Nutrition

The right nutritional plan can be a game changer when it comes to treating an eating disorder. Even if one is having trouble keeping down food, if you slant your diet towards healthier, more nutrition-rich foods, you can avoid many of the serious medical risks that come with your eating disorder. While nutrition is not a panacea, it can do a great deal to make things more manageable.

Therapy

Studies have shown that guided or group therapy can work wonders for patients suffering from an eating disorder. Talking out your feelings and getting to the root of your eating disorder, especially when guided by a professional. In certain cases, inpatient eating disorder treatment facilities may be an excellent avenue and can help you work out issues while in a safe environment.

Medication

Medication alone is not a silver bullet, but it can help immensely with the symptoms and painful problems that can arise with an eating disorder. Self-medication is very unsafe, so it is imperative that you reach out to a trained medical professional to help you with your eating disorder. They can find the right medication to help get you on your feet and also to help you generate long-term returns on your medical treatment program. Speak with your doctor or psychiatrist to learn what medications would be ideal for your situation.

Eating disorders are a major problem in the United States, and issues related to them are only growing. It can be comforting for many to know that they are not suffering alone and that there are ways to get better.