Last updated on October 12th, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Cases of ED have skyrocketed in recent years, especially since the pandemic, according to the latest reports, affecting more than 70% of young people and, above all, the female population. Psychologists and psychotherapists warn of the risks that an eating disorder can have, mainly when it is a serious and persistent eating disorder, in which case it can be treated in special centers, such as the ED day centers. They explain what they are, who they are intended for and what kind of activities are carried out in them to help those affected.
A ED day center is a space designed to provide intensive treatment for people struggling with an eating disorder (ED), usually severe and persistent. In other words, for those in whose case regular outpatient treatment is not enough and they require more specific and recurrent care. Of course, the approach to deal with the situations varies depending on each unit, being able to treat cases individually or in groups. Proyectoart.com is one of the most popular centers today in the treatment of ADD, as well as being a reference for its day center. The approach of this clinic is compassionate, as they describe, and evidence-based. In addition, it focuses on the people rather than the disorder, prioritizing the aspects that affect each person individually and not superficially. Therefore, the intensity of the treatment varies according to the specific needs of each person.
In the specialized day center in ED the necessary therapeutic support is provided to treat people with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, mainly. The professionals offer guidelines and carry out different activities to help patients adapt and adopt healthy eating patterns, as well as to improve their relationship with food.
Who should go to an ED day center?
The ED day center is a space designed for all people with a serious and lasting eating disorder. That is, people with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorders, among others. An ED is considered severe when it affects several areas of a person’s life and the symptoms require complex interventions to address both physical and psychological health. In addition, the problem is persistent when the sufferer has lived with it beyond the recovery time, which is usually around 3 years. In other words, the disorder has become part of their sense of self and identity. The ED day center is intended for these patients, but also for family members, partners and friends as it provides information on how to accompany someone with this type of disorder in the long term.
Treatment and activities usually performed in an ED day center
The main goal of a day center is to achieve the total recovery of the patient and for this purpose a treatment that may vary in intensity depending on the specific needs of each person is carried out. In any case, the treatment usually includes from group therapies and workshops, to individual therapy, as is carried out in ProyectoART where, in addition, nutritional education sessions, somatic and body-based therapies, occupational therapy and even support during meals and snacks are performed. This center also provides medical support for people with more serious conditions. It is thus a holistic and compassionate treatment that helps to improve autonomy and self-care abilities as much as possible. The success of treatment in an ED center is to improve the quality of life of patients in all areas, from the physical, to the emotional, relational and occupational.
The activities carried out in these specialized centers, mental health experts explain, can vary depending on each clinic. They seek to foster community and ED support groups by creating a space where different people who share this problem can talk about their experiences, find mutual support and not feel ashamed, as in the case of the ProyectoART. In addition, the aim is to promote a sense of autonomy and responsibility in self-care in order to make conscious and responsible decisions about one’s own wellbeing. And, of course, to promote personal development, accompanying each person in the process of growth and evolution for an effective and integrated therapy in each person, avoiding relapses and that the problems extend to other personal and external areas.
The program of an ED day center consists of several daily activities that are guided by different professionals. These are focused on working on the relationship with oneself, the body and nutrition. They are intertwined with leisure and play activities, coworking projects, group and individual therapies and meal accompaniment. Some of the daily activities that take place in the ProyectoART’s reference center located in Barcelona are specialized yoga for ED, physiotherapy, ceramics and art workshops, nutrition workshops, reading clubs and even psychodrama. The specialized clinic has one of the most complete catalogs of activities, in addition to psychological dance, coworking space, cooking, mindfulness workshops, visits or excursions and creative writing.
When do the sessions take place and how often do I have to visit the specialized center?
As the name suggests, the care is provided during the day, specifically in the morning (in some cases it can be extended into the afternoon, as in the case of ProyectoART). The program usually runs from Monday to Friday with activities and therapies that vary from week to week. In addition, each week is organized with a schedule that allows for structure and routine, as well as flexibility and spontaneity. In addition, weekly or bi-weekly individual psychotherapy sessions are provided for the participants. There are also nutritional and medical follow-up sessions, according to the needs and the plan established in the initial interviews. These are aimed at achieving health goals and monitoring progress and recovery, with the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team.
Dariel Campbell is currently an English instructor at a university. She has experience in teaching and assessing English tests including TOEFL, IELTS, BULATS, FCE, CAE, and PTEG. With over a decade of teaching expertise, Dariel Campbell utilizes his knowledge to develop English lessons for her audience on English Overview.
