Inpatient Treatment for Bulimia: What to Expect 

Inpatient treatment is the most regimented level of care, best for someone whose eating disorder symptoms are severe, prolonged, or out of their control. Keep reading to see if inpatient bulimia treatment sounds like a good match for you or a loved one.

What is Inpatient Bulimia Treatment?

Outside of hospitalization, inpatient treatment is the most intensive level of care for bulimia nervosa. Also called residential treatment, inpatient programs require a patient to live at a facility throughout their treatment, lasting anywhere from several weeks to several months.

Depending on the specific program, alternative treatments, such as art therapy, and other medical specialists, may also be available.

In this environment, patients are separated from any triggers in their home life, have 24/7 access to medical care, and are taught the skills they need to eat, work, and live safely, with more autonomy.

What Kind of Care Is Provided in Inpatient Bulimia Treatment?

The specific types of care provided at an inpatient treatment program vary based on the program and the individual needs of the patient. Overall, the goal of treatment is getting patients to the point where they can exit full-time care and successfully attend more traditional, if not intensive, outpatient treatment.²

Still, some therapies commonly used to help with treating bulimia include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Other types of care, such as nutritional rehabilitation and access to a registered dietitian, are also common parts of a bulimia inpatient program.

How Long Does Inpatient Bulimia Treatment Last?

The length of inpatient treatment varies from case to case. Some patients require only a few weeks at a treatment center, while others may need additional time to work on their condition.

Generally, your treatment team—consisting of your primary physician, physicians at the center, nursing staff, counselors, and other medical professionals—will work with you to develop a treatment plan. While this agreement can be, and is, changed as needed, it includes goals and possible benchmarks for treatment.

The specifics of your health insurance plan can also affect how long you can stay at a treatment facility. Since inpatient treatment can be expensive, many insurers do not cover it or only cover treatment in certain cases.

Many people transition from inpatient bulimia treatment to a less intensive level of care, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). At these levels, patients commute to treatment but live at home and are given more freedom in making food-based choices in accordance with their progress.

The Possibilities of Virtual Inpatient Treatment

Virtual eating disorder treatment is still relatively new but is increasingly being looked at as a valid and equally effective alternative to in-person care in many cases.

Patients in virtual treatment speak to doctors and other specialists online rather than attending therapy in person. Some programs, like Within Health, also provide an app for patients to continue tracking their daily progress, reach out to or answer messages from treatment team members, and find additional helpful information and resources.

Even when patients are receiving inpatient care, they may benefit from virtual eating disorder treatment. The same technology can give patients access to additional medical experts who may be at different facilities or too far for the patient to realistically reach in person.³

Virtual care can be especially helpful for patients in rural or underserved areas. The online connection allows more options for specialized mental health care when it may otherwise be more challenging. However, when inpatient treatment is suggested, it’s best to follow up with a doctor about the benefits and potential drawbacks of virtual treatment.

Finding Help for Bulimia Nervosa

If you or a loved one are struggling with bulimia nervosa, it’s important to seek help. The condition impacts many bodily systems and tends to only worsen with time.

You can speak with your primary doctor or therapist if you need help figuring out where to start. These medical professionals can advise you where to look for the best treatment program or even which one is best for your particular case.

You can also speak with representatives from your health insurance company for guidance on which programs they may be more likely to cover. Eating disorder treatment can be costly, and, unfortunately, this represents a significant barrier to care for many. Still, there are some ways to find low-cost treatment options, even if your insurance isn’t willing to pay for treatment.

Regardless, the most important thing is to speak up. It may seem difficult to make the first move, but seeking out treatment for bulimia nervosa will help you instill healthier habits that have all the potential to lead to a longer and happier life.