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Taking a Leave of Absence for Eating Disorder Treatment
One common barrier to getting treatment is that eating disorder treatment can interfere with school or work. This is a legitimate concern as school and work are necessary responsibilities for most people. Depending on how severe someone’s eating disorder is, they may not be able to continue with work and school if they are to get the care they need.
Eating Disorder Treatment Options
There are several different levels of care for eating disorders. These options are different based on how much support someone may need. These are the different eating disorder treatment options:
- Inpatient: Inpatient care is when someone is hospitalized. People with eating disorders are hospitalized because of the medical complications that can come with disordered eating. This is 24-hour a day treatment until discharge. This phase of treatment tends to be short-term until the person is medically stabilized. Someone may also receive inpatient care for mental health reasons, like if they are planning on hurting themselves or someone else [1].
- Residential: Residential treatment is also 24-hour a day care. In residential treatment, people are still receiving medical supervision and regular visits with a doctor. But they don’t need as intensive medical care as a hospital would provide. Eating disorder residential programs treat eating disorders that are severe enough and would not improve with lower levels of care [1]. The eating disorder causes significant emotional and physical impairment to where this person needs 24/7 support.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This term is confusing because PHPs don’t involve being hospitalized. These programs usually are several days a week for several hours a day. Eating disorder Partial Hospitalization Programs treat people who are medically stable, but their eating disorder causes significant impairment. The eating disorder may get in the way of someone’s social life or ability to perform at work or school [1]. People in PHP programs are likely engaging in daily eating disorder behaviors such as binging, purging, or restricting.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOP programs usually provide a few hours of treatment a few days a week. People in IOP may still be struggling with disordered eating behaviors, but they are able to somewhat control them. IOP is for people who are at a place in recovery where they still need regular support to stay on track, but the eating disorder is no longer getting in the way of their ability to participate in work, school, or in relationships [1].
- Outpatient: Outpatient treatment is the lowest level of care for an eating disorder. Someone in outpatient care may see a therapist and dietitian once a week. They may also see a psychiatrist periodically. People in outpatient are basically in the maintenance phase of recovery as they need minimal support to abstain from eating disorder behaviors.
For people who need higher levels of care, such as PHP, residential, or inpatient, it is likely that they won’t be able to attend work or school. This is difficult for some people to accept, but it’s important that eating disorder treatment becomes the priority. Eating disorders can be fatal if left untreated [2].
It’s important to get the appropriate level of care as soon as possible for optimal chances for recovery. Receiving less support than what someone needs can drag out the recovery process and make it more difficult.
Taking a leave of absence to get treatment may be difficult to do, but there are ways to do it. If you are a student, there are laws in place to support and protect you while you get necessary medical care. Similarly, if you are employed, there ways to get disability insurance while you take medical leave.
It’s okay to take a leave of absence to get medical care. For some people, it’s a matter of life or death. Everyone deserves to live and to enjoy the life they’re living. Treatment can help get you there.
References:
[1] National Eating Disorders Association. (2018). Levels of care. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/treatment/levels-care [2] National Eating Disorders Association. (2018). Health consequences. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/health-consequencesAbout the Author:
Samantha Bothwell, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, writer, explorer, and lipstick aficionado. She became a therapist after doing her own healing work so she could become whole after spending many years living with her mind and body disconnected. She has focused her clinical work to support the healing process of survivors of sexual violence and eating disorders. She is passionate about guiding people in their return to their truest Self so they can live their most authentic, peaceful life.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a 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.
Published March 30, 2021, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Approved on March 30, 2021, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
