“Am I Sick Enough?” How to Navigate Treatment Options and Decide Which Level of Care Is Right for You
Understanding the Hidden Dangers of Eating Disorders
If you’re reading this, you may be questioning whether your eating disorder is severe enough to warrant professional treatment. It’s common for adults to struggle with thoughts like, “Am I sick enough?” or “Do I really need help?” The truth is, eating disorders can be incredibly deceptive, often making you feel like you’re not “sick enough” or worthy enough to seek care. But the reality is that all eating disorders, regardless of their outward appearance, carry serious risks to your physical and mental health.
The Silent Threats: Medical Complications of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders affect every system in your body, and many of the complications are invisible until they become life-threatening. These complications can develop quickly and impact you whether you’re restricting your intake, purging, over-exercising, or abusing laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills. Here are some common medical complications associated with eating disorders that you should be aware of:
Common Physical Complaints:
- Thinning hair or hair loss
- Dry, flaky skin
- Brittle nails
- Temperature dysregulation (feeling cold all the time)
- Constipation or digestive discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue or low energy levels
- Loss of libido
- Menstrual irregularities
- Easily fractured bones
These symptoms can be early indicators of more serious underlying issues and shouldn’t be ignored.
Severe Medical Complications:
- Low Blood Sugar: Hypoglycemia is common after periods of severe restriction or prolonged malnutrition and can lead to dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures, loss of consciousness and even death.
- Elevated Liver Enzymes: This can indicate liver damage, which may occur due to malnutrition or the body’s breakdown of muscle tissue for energy.
- Loss of Menstrual Period (Amenorrhea): This is often a tell-tale sign of malnutrition. This is your body telling you it doesn’t have enough nutrition to carry on basic functions. A hormonal imbalance and can lead to long-term reproductive issues, including infertility.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: Conditions like low potassium (hypokalemia) are common with frequent vomiting or purging behaviors. Sever electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and dangerous heart arrhythmias, which could be fatal.
- Arrhythmias and Low Heart Rate: Irregular heartbeats and bradycardia are serious complications that can result from prolonged malnutrition, weakening of the cardiac muscles, and electrolyte imbalances. These can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Even if you’re not experiencing extreme weight loss or other visible signs of an eating disorder, these hidden dangers can still be present. It’s crucial to recognize that these symptoms are warning signs that your body is in distress, and delaying treatment can lead to more severe consequences. Denial and the belief that you’re “not sick enough” often prevent people from seeking the care they desperately need.
Deciding Which Level of Care Is Right for You
Eating disorder treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The level of care you need depends on the severity of your symptoms, both physical and psychological. Here’s an overview of the different levels of care available at Inner Haven Wellness, along with key indicators for each:
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Suitable for those who need more structure than outpatient care but are still able to function relatively well in their daily lives. IOP involves three hours of therapy and treatment sessions each day, across three flexible tracks allowing you to maintain work or school commitments.
- Key Indicators: You’re experiencing increasing symptoms that interfere with your daily life but are still able to manage basic responsibilities. IOP is a great first step to prevent the need for a higher level of care down the road.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Designed for individuals who need a higher level of care but do not require 24/7 medical supervision. PHP involves six or more hours of intensive treatment each day, including medical monitoring, group and individual therapy, and nutritional support.
- Key Indicators: You’re struggling to maintain your daily routine, experiencing significant physical symptoms, or at risk of severe medical complications. PHP allows for intensive treatment while still providing the flexibility to continue part time with work or school and the ability to return home in the evenings.
Taking the First Step
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if you’re unsure whether your eating disorder is severe enough for treatment, take our free quiz to gain more insight. Our admissions counselors are ready to help you explore your options. Remember, your health and well-being are worth prioritizing.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be at rock bottom to seek help. At Inner Haven Wellness, we understand that eating disorders can be complex and deceptive. If you’re questioning whether you’re “sick enough,” it’s time to take that first step toward recovery. Call us today for a free phone assessment and find out how our flexible treatment options can fit into your busy life.