Types of Eating Disorders
There are several types of eating disorders, most of which should be addressed under your Medical Mutual eating disorder coverage, either directly or under the auspices of a behavioral or mental disorder.
- Anorexia nervosa is associated with individuals who become obsessed with being thin, even when they are within normal body-mass index (BMI) and often to the detriment of their health. This obsession with low body weight often leads to a diet of very little or no food, excessive amounts of exercise, self-induced vomiting, and the abuse of laxatives, enemas, and diuretics. This can lead to serious health problems that range from amenorrhea (cessation of menstrual cycle), brittle bones, heart problems, and even death.
- Bulimia nervosa is the cycle of binge eating and then forced purging. Patients with bulimia gorge on enormous amounts of food and then try to rid themselves of the excess calories by inducing vomiting, starving, over-exercising, or using laxatives and diuretics. Though bulimics tend to be of normal weight or even overweight, the toll on their bodies is just as damaging as that of bulimics.
- Binge eating is similar to bulimia except that the binging is not followed by any purging, exercising, etc., thereby resulting in extreme and often dangerous weight gain.
Treating Eating Disorders
It can be difficult to treat eating disorders; most rehabilitation facilities will employ a varied and comprehensive treatment plan. Your Medical Mutual eating disorder coverage may include any or all of the following:
- Nutritional Counseling – By teaching healthy ways to approach, prepare, and consume food, nutritionists begin to retrain patients with eating disorders to form new, more positive behaviors
- Medications – Eating disorders may be associated with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or other illnesses, all of which can be treated pharmacologically.
- Psychotherapy – Mental and emotional support through group therapy or individual counseling is an essential part of recovery.
- Medical Care – The physical wear and tear associated with an eating disorder often requires the supervision of a medical professional, perhaps even a team. Inpatient rehab facilities offer round-the-clock care as the patient repairs their body inside and out.
The Cost of Rehabilitation
Hopefully your Medical Mutual eating disorder coverage will take care of all or at least some of your rehabilitation. If not, there are facilities and programs that exist to help you get the help you need so you can live the life you deserve.