Indiana Eating Disorder Treatment Centers

Eating disorders are serious conditions that can become potentially deadly if left untreated. And due to the complex nature of these mental health issues, it’s imperative to find the appropriate kind of help, in order to have the best chance of long-term recovery.

When looking for the best treatment services for conditions like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), or other similar conditions, there are many factors to keep in mind. But luckily, for those living in Indiana, there are just as many treatment options to consider.

Types of Eating Disorder Treatment in Indiana

One of the first things to keep in mind when determining the type of eating disorder treatment you’re looking for in Indiana is the level of care you or your loved one may need.

Eating disorder recovery is often a multi-step process, with someone receiving various medical care depending on the severity of their condition.

Virtual Treatment

With the increasing capabilities of technology, virtual treatment services for eating disorders have become increasingly popular in Indiana and elsewhere.

These services allow a patient to receive treatment over the internet, via an app, video conferencing technology, or a website. The option is great for people who don’t live close to an in-person treatment center, who may have challenges around transportation or mobility, or who may have difficult schedules to work around.

And while this type of treatment is still relatively new, studies have shown that virtual treatment can be just as effective as in-person care in many cases. [3] Though, it’s important to keep in mind that virtual care may not be appropriate for all cases, particularly someone with more severe eating disorder symptoms.

Inpatient and Residential Treatment in Indiana

Inpatient treatment is the highest level of care for treating eating disorders. Taking place in a hospital setting, this type of care is generally reserved for the most severe cases, when someone requires life-saving interventions or is otherwise in a state of crisis. [1]

Generally, inpatient care in Indiana only lasts for a few weeks until a patient achieves medical stabilization. At that point, a patient is often transferred to a residential program.

Residential treatment is similar to inpatient treatment in the sense that the patient lives on the premises and has 24-hour access to care from medical professionals, though these programs often take place in more of a home-like environment.

Patients in a residential program in Indiana will follow strict schedules, which often include various forms of treatment, including individual therapy sessions, meal monitoring, nutritional counseling, and frequent medical check-ins.

Partial Hospitalization Programs in Indiana

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a step down from residential care, representing more of an in-between phase of eating disorder treatment. During this level of care, patients will live and sleep at home while commuting to therapy programs.

Many treatments administered at this phase in Indiana are similar to those a patient went through during inpatient treatment, including individual and family therapy, meal monitoring, nutrition counseling, and regular clinical assessments.

Programs are also extensive, lasting anywhere from 4-8 hours per day, up to 5 days per week. [2] As a patient continues along their recovery journey, however, their schedule is reassessed, and they will generally spend less time at a PHP as time goes on.

This level of care is best for those who are ready to start practicing their new coping skills outside of a controlled facility but still need a lot of support.

Outpatient Treatment in Indiana

Outpatient treatments are generally the first or last level of care people experience on their recovery journey. During this phase, people live at home and will commute to treatment on a regular basis, though programs are not as intense as a PHP.

There are generally two levels of outpatient care in Indiana: intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and regular outpatient treatment.

An intensive outpatient program may involve longer or more frequent visits to treatment facilities and may include additional levels of support, such as group therapy sessions. Regular outpatient services generally consist of regularly-scheduled meetings with a therapist, nutritional counselor, or other care team members.

Additional Eating Disorder Resources in Indiana

While Indiana has many eating disorder treatment centers, there are other options for those in the area looking for help, including:

• The Indiana University Health Website, which can help you locate virtual or in-person programs.
• The NEDA Helpline, which can give you information on eating disorder treatment in Indiana.
• Indiana University, which offers consultations with registered dietitians and counseling for eating disorders.

Eating Disorder Support Groups in Indiana

Even if you’re receiving active treatment for an eating disorder, you may want more support outside of your treatment team. In these cases, eating disorder support groups can offer help, connecting you or your loved one to a community of people who are going through similar situations and who can offer advice and camaraderie.

Some Indiana support groups for eating disorders include:

• Indiana University, where a pay-per-session counseling group is available for those recovering from eating disorders.
• For those in Indiana looking for a virtual option, the Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders has online support groups that are free to join.

Indiana Eating Disorder Treatment Center Considerations

Aside from the level of care a program provides, there are a number of other considerations to keep in mind when looking for the appropriate treatment for eating disorders.

Licensing and Accreditation

While treatment programs in Indiana must follow certain state and national laws, it’s still a good idea to check for licensing and accreditation.

Appropriate licensing ensures the staff has gone through the proper training to help with eating disorder treatment. And accreditation offers further assurance that a treatment center or program has been analyzed by industry experts and found to meet a certain level of standards.

You can find more information about a center’s accreditation here.

Cost and Insurance Options

Unfortunately, eating disorder treatment is often prohibitively expensive. A majority of people looking into these programs must rely on their health insurance for help covering costs.

If you have insurance, it is a good idea to call your insurance company and see which providers are in-network. These providers will almost always be more affordable than those your insurance doesn’t cover.

Even if you don’t have insurance, be sure to call the organization that you are interested in receiving treatment from and ask them if they offer financial assistance. Many hospitals and medical centers offer financial aid programs.

Location

If you’re participating in a partial hospitalization program or outpatient treatment in Indiana, it’s a good idea to keep location in mind. You’re more likely to follow through on your treatment sessions if you can easily get to them.

This consideration is especially important if you experience challenges around transportation or mobility. Factors like public transportation or proximity to your workplace may make a key difference.

Additional Questions

Looking for the right kind of eating disorder treatment can feel overwhelming. There are many considerations to keep in mind. But you can help narrow down your search by asking yourself a few key questions, including: [4]

• How does the center communicate with the patient’s family doctors and other doctors who may routinely provide care?
• What are your criteria for determining whether a patient needs to be partially or fully hospitalized?
• What happens in counseling sessions? Will there be individual and group sessions?
• Will there be family sessions?
• How will the family be prepared for the patient’s discharge?
• How does the care team measure success for the patient?
• How do you decide when a patient is ready to leave?
• How is that transition managed with the patient and family?
• What after-care plans do you have in place, and at what point do you begin planning for discharge?

Once you’ve established these needs, you may want to further narrow down the search by asking any potential centers you’re interested in the following questions: [5]

• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing for me?
• How will treatment affect my weight?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Combined, these questions will hopefully help you weed through the numerous possibilities of Indiana eating disorder treatment to find the best option for you or your loved one.

Finding Help for an Eating Disorder in Indiana

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it’s imperative to find help. These conditions can be dangerous and deadly if left untreated.

If you’re unsure where to start, you may want to consult with your primary care physician, or another trusted medical professional, like your therapist or psychiatrist.

There are also a number of eating disorder hotlines that can point you in the direction of programs or additional eating disorder resources in Indiana.

Regardless, the most important step in getting help is seeking it out. It may seem impossible to overcome an eating disorder, but seeking out treatment is the first step on the road to recovery.