Treatment for eating disorders is imperative for the woman suffering from anorexia, bulimia or another eating disorder. But first, one must look at the characteristics and behaviors associated with individuals suffering from and eating disorder. An eating disorder is an illness that consumes all aspects of a person's life. The cause of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia cannot entirely depend on one specific factor.  It is caused by a number of factors and influences and has a profound effect on the people suffering and their loved ones. There is a big difference between dieting and eating disorders. Dieting is losing a small amount of weight through exercise or a change of diet, but it is done healthily. Eating disorders are about seeking approval through others. It involves extreme weight change and not thinking about the major effect it has upon the body. It is totally based on looks and weight.

It is thought that the emergence of anorexia or bulimia begins during adolescence, when girls become acutely aware of their bodies and compare themselves to others around them. As a result, they may feel inadequate or self-conscious and begin the cycle of dieting. Also, these young women begin isolating from friends and family. They believe that losing weight will help them to be accepted and it will make them happy.

There are many different types of eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa is defined by food restriction, loss of appetite, an obsession with thinness, distorted body image, obsession with calorie counting and food preparation.  Anorexia is usually caused by low self-esteem, the need to control their surroundings and emotions or a unique reaction to a number of factors such as stress, unhappiness or anxiety. Bulimia is defined by the repeated cycle of secretly eating large amounts of food followed by the purging. Purging includes self induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives and/or obsessive exercise.

There are many ways of helping someone with an eating disorder. If you suspect that your child or anyone you know has an eating disorder you should never: tell them their crazy, blame them, gossip about them, and follow them around to check their eating or purging behavior. You should also never ignore them, reject them, and tell them to quit the ridiculous behavior, or feel you need to solve their problems.  Some things you should do are to listen with understanding, appreciate their openness and the risk they took to tell you, support them and be available. Two of the most important things you should do are to always give her hope, and continuously, but gently suggest counseling.

Women who suffer from eating disorders are very often in denial and do not readily admit to having a problem. They may resist help. The successful treatment of eating disorders includes family members and friends who play a role in getting their loved on to enter treatment. Families often enlist the help of a qualified professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or physician.

Eating disorders are treatable and women are able to maintain a healthy weight following the treatment of eating disorders. In the treatment of eating disorders, a comprehensive treatment plan is necessary for the client to be successfully treated. The treatment plan should include medical oversight, nutrition education and counseling, and psychotherapy. Most importantly, the clinician must evaluate and determine if there is am immediate need for hospitalization due to the physical state of the client.

In cases where clients must be admitted to a hospital for stabilization, physicians may prescribe gradual in-crease in food intake and dietary supplements, and tell a patient not to exercise. In the most severe cases, especially if a patient resists instructions to eat, nutrients and fluids may be administered intravenously. During hospitalization, patients receive both physical and mental care. They may have to stay there for a few days or even weeks at a time to help treat anorexia. However, the mental effects of this disease may take longer to treat. With both physical and mental care, anorexia can often be treated and its effects can be reversed. Researchers estimate that of those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 42 percent recover, 30 percent improve somewhat, and more than 20 percent suffer from a chronic eating disorder.  New ways are being found to prevent anorexia.

There are also many approaches in treatment for eating disorders.  One method is by psychological counseling. A problem with treating anorexia is getting the victim to first admit that they have a problem, and to not deny their illness any longer. Through counseling, the root of the victims' problem is found. The treatment for eating disorders by a professional will include a bio-psych social evaluation to determine life event and personal thought processes that may have contributed to the eating disorder. Factors or catalyst that may play a key role in the development of an eating disorder can be, but are not limited to: past traumas (PTSD), low self-esteem, low self-image, over achievers, obsessive compulsive thought processes, codependency, and inability to express emotions. In some way, the hidden problem of eating disorders in men is cultural.

Treatment for eating disorders includes a variety of therapeutic approaches. Psychotherapy is a treatment available to patients with eating disorders and it involves a considerable amount of time and commitment. It addresses not only the eating disorder itself but also the overall emotional health and happiness of the patient. Two other types of treatment for eating disorders available are interpersonal therapy and group therapy. Both of these allow sharing of information, feedback and interaction including other people's experiences and coping strategies.

Cognitively, many women suffering from an eating disorder, whether anorexia or bulimia, have distorted views of their body including: the size of their body, weight and shape. Viewing their body much larger than it truly is. Another therapeutic modality used as a treatment for eating disorders is cognitive therapy. A cognitive therapy identifies and alters dysfunctional thought patterns, attitudes and beliefs, which may trigger and continue to binge behavior in bulimics or restrictive eating in anorexics. The food intake of the patent will be monitored, which is an important component of this therapy, along with developing alternative counterattacks to dysfunctional thoughts.

The sooner and younger that a women is diagnosed and begins treatment for eating disorders, the better their changes are of recovery. Treatment for eating disorders should include a comprehensive treatment team, who are able to evaluate, develop, and implement individualized treatment plans.