Eating Disorder Treatment in Mississippi

Fortunately, the state of Mississippi offers a number of different treatment services for people who struggle with these conditions.

What Types Of Treatment Are Available in Mississippi? 

Eating disorders are as individual as the people struggling with them, and occur along a spectrum of severity.

Similarly, treatment for these conditions also varies, and while being tailored to the specific needs of a patient, these programs also broadly occur across several levels of care, with each type of treatment designed to help people at different points of their recovery journey.

Virtual Treatment Options for Eating Disorders

As the internet and its numerous communication tools have become more common and sophisticated, it’s opened up more avenues for pursuing mental health treatment online.

Virtual care is a great option for most patients in Mississippi, offering flexibility for those with difficult schedules, greater accessibility for those with transportation or mobility issues, and a great alternate option for anyone living far from an in-person treatment center.

Studies have shown that this type of care can also be just as effective as in-person treatment in many cases. Though, it’s important to note that virtual treatment may not be for everyone, including someone with. more severe eating disorder symptoms.

Residential Treatment Programs

Residential treatment programs are essentially considered the most immersive and intensive form of help for people struggling with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and more.

These programs involve patients living at the rehab facility, which is often designed with more of a home-like environment to cater to these longer-term stays. The duration of a program depends on the progress of a patient, but can generally last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

During this time, patients typically follow a strictly regimented schedule, packed with many different types of care. Individual therapy sessions, group therapy, nutritional counseling, meal monitoring, medication management, and regular medical check-ins are all typically part of a residential program, with patients at this point also working with members of their treatment team to come up with a long-term care plan.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

The middle ground of eating disorder treatment in Mississippi is partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). These services mark the beginning of a patient’s transition to a more autonomous life, allowing them to live and sleep at home while commuting to treatment.

Clinical services of a PHP are similar to those offered in most residential facilities. Indeed, in many cases, patients transitioning from residential care to a PHP may keep their same care team, to help them make a smoother transition into this level of care.

PHPs can last anywhere from 8 hours a day, up to 5 days a week, though, as a patient progresses, their schedule is typically reduced. [1]

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient treatment is generally either the first or last level of care someone seeking treatment for an eating disorder will experience. These programs are designed for those whose symptoms are mostly under their control, but who could still benefit from ongoing care, support, and medical check-ins.

Among outpatient clinics, there are two broad types of services. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are generally better for those who need more support, with programs that are longer, more immersive, or more frequent.

Standard outpatient care is a good option for those who want to keep in regular contact with a therapist or other care team member, as a way to help with personal accountability or to continue receiving help and support, while allowing themselves the time and space to continue working on other social obligations, like work and school.

Additional Mississippi Eating Disorder Resources 

Aside from programs designed specifically to help people overcome eating disorders, there are other resources in Mississippi that can help people struggling with eating disorders.

The Comprehensive Eating Disorder Program (CEDP) at the University of Mississippi provides students with education and support related to eating disorders. There is even an on-campus treatment team that provides treatment, support, and care at no cost to all the university’s students.

And Mississippi is also home to numerous eating disorder support groups. These groups, which are best found through local internet searches, are formed from people going through similar experiences, and are a great way to create a sense of community, share concerns and successes, and give and receive advice.

What To Look For In A Mississippi Treatment Facility 

Aside from the level of care that would best support you or your loved one, there are some other factors to keep in mind when searching through the available treatment options in Mississippi.

Treatment Methods

There are many different types of eating disorder treatments, though some are more effective than others. Some of the most common forms of care include:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Nutritional counseling

What these treatments have in common is that they’re all considered evidence-based. That means they’ve gone through years of clinical testing and analysis and are generally considered effective. It can also make a big difference when determining which types of care will be covered by your insurance company.

Cost And Insurance 

Indeed, insurance is often a key consideration in eating disorder treatment, as these programs are often very costly.

Many policies will only cover treatments that are evidence-based and in-network, with a number of other possible stipulations.

Before enrolling in any program, it’s important to check with both the program and your insurance provider that costs will be covered. You may even want to start your search by contacting your insurance company to ask them about in-network choices.

Additional Concerns

The good thing about having options is being able to choose a program that most closely aligns with your needs. But having too much choice can also feel overwhelming.

If possible, talk to one or two former patients of the Mississippi eating disorder treatment centers on your shortlist and get their opinion about the quality of the treatment they received. A Google search for reviews of a center can also help to eliminate any unpleasant surprises.

Finding Help for an Eating Disorder in Mississippi

Eating disorders are dangerous conditions, and if you or a loved one are struggling, it’s paramount to seek out help.

Asking your primary care physician, therapist, or another trusted medical professional is a great place to start. These experts are generally educated in eating disorder treatment and may be able to point you in the direction of a successful program or help you determine your next best steps.

If you’d rather not discuss this sensitive topic in person, there are also many eating disorder hotlines that can help offer resources and additional information on an anonymous basis.

But regardless of where you start, the most important thing is seeking help. Eating disorders may seem impossible to move past, but with the right kind of treatment, you can begin down a path toward a healthier and happier future.