How to Manage an Eating Disorder if on a Waitlist for Treatment

One of the many challenges that can come with seeking eating disorder treatment is the all-too-common reality of being put on a waitlist. Waitlists are often part of the process due to the overwhelming need for eating disorder resources and lack of treatment options in many regions.

Finding healthy ways to cope with being waitlisted, maintaining your motivation for recovery, and continuing with your outpatient appointments can improve your overall quality of life while on a waitlist.

“Am I Not Sick Enough?”

One common thought people have when put on a waitlist for eating disorder treatment is that they are not sick enough to receive care. This can be highly triggering and lead to an increase in behaviors.

Hospitals and treatment centers typically use body mass index (BMI) and other arguably inaccurate measurements to determine the level of care individuals need. This is then compounded by the fact that there are simply not enough resources to fit the growing need for eating disorder treatment.

Insurance plays a large role in whether and how long individuals receive care. This can also be triggering and lead to feelings of not being “sick enough.” Though recent improvements in legislation have required insurance companies to provide more coverage for mental health care, this remains an ongoing issue.

Fighting these negative and triggering feelings while on a waitlist is essential, and will likely improve your experience once you enter treatment. Do not feel like you need to prove your sickness, but instead focus on your recovery.

Keeping Your Focus on Recovery

When on a waitlist, it can be easy to lose track of your commitment to the recovery process. Many are ambivalent toward recovery to some degree anyway, which can then be magnified when treatment is delayed for weeks or months.

Practice whatever healthy coping tools are effective for you, including journaling, affirmations, or other activities. You can make a list of what inspires you to recover and turn to it instead of your disordered food behaviors when urges arise.

A 2012 study [1] found that increased waitlist times were a significant predictor of dropout rates among patients in an outpatient eating disorder program. As researchers emphasized, “Increased resources for eating disorder services may reduce waiting list times which would help to reduce dropout and maximize treatment outcomes.”

Consider joining online pro-recovery communities to keep you inspired and driven toward recovery. Being part of a supportive community can empower you to make recovery-minded decisions while you await treatment.

Continuing Regular Outpatient Appointments

It might feel tempting to roll into a ball and stay in bed until you get the call that the hospital has a bed for you, or that the partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP) has an opening. Fight this urge to isolate and make sure to keep your regular outpatient appointments.

Continuing to see your treatment team of eating disorder professionals can support your motivation toward recovery. It also ensures that you get some level of professional care while stuck on the waitlist.

Depending on the severity of your condition, you have likely had to take time off school or work to even begin the process of seeking treatment. It is very difficult to maintain these day-to-day activities during this time, so find other things to do with your time that support your recovery and provide a sense of purpose.

Lean on your support people while on the waitlist, including friends, loved ones, and eating disorder professionals. Letting people help you when you need it is something that you learn early on in the recovery process, and can start now.

Be Proud of Yourself

Reject the toxic feelings of shame, self-doubt, and self-hatred that often accompany eating disorders, and instead be proud of yourself for seeking the treatment you deserve. This first step can be the hardest.

Negative feelings you might be struggling with will not go away overnight, but starting to challenge them by embracing positive self-talk and affirmations can support your recovery.

If you are on a waitlist right now, try to keep your focus on recovery. When challenges arise, speak with your support people and process the difficult emotions that are coming up. Remember that you deserve to live a life free from your eating disorder, and that recovery is possible.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What has been helpful for you or someone you know while on a waitlist for eating disorder treatment?

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About the Author: Courtney Howard is the Director of Operations & Business Development at Eating Disorder Hope. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from San Diego State University, holds a paralegal certificate in Family Law, and is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate. After obtaining her certification as a life coach, Courtney launched Lionheart Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching in 2015 and continues to be a passionate advocate for awareness and recovery.

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References:

[1]: Carter, O., et al. (2012). “Increased wait-list time predicts dropout from outpatient enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) for eating disorders.” Behav Res Ther. 2012 Aug;50(7-8):487-92. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2012.03.003. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on December 26, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com