Benefits of Eating Disorder Treatment Created Specifically for Women

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Black woman in Eating Disorder Treatment Specifically for Women and bringing honesty in eating disorder recovery

Contributed by Canopy Cove

Eating disorders are experienced by a diverse spectrum of individuals of differing genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. For this reason, it is essential to begin this article with a disclaimer: In regards to eating disorder treatment specifically for women, our society has only recently started to adopt an understanding of the difference between sex and gender and the spectrum of genders that individuals experience.

Research and treatment are working to catch-up but are not quite there, yet. As such, this article will focus on the biological sexes of male and female, as most eating disorder research and treatments are based on this. To learn more about the gender spectrum and how it impacts eating disorder experience, diagnosis, and treatment, feel free to check out THIS ARTICLE.

It is a beautiful facet of humankind that various personalities, lifestyles, and experiences come together to make each person the unique soul that they are. No two individuals experience the world the same because of this.

For this reason, eating disorder treatment tends to be more successful when these aspects are taken into consideration.

While it is impossible to create an evidence-based treatment for every single individual, researchers have studied how treatment that links similar individuals and experiences results in more positive outcomes. The most common method of doing this is by creating treatment specifically for women.

Eating Disorder Treatment Specifically for Women and the Biological Differences

There is no denying that the biology of men and women differ, with various chemicals and hormones making an impact on them, their development, and their eating disorder. Eating disorders are physical as well as mental, and one physical impact that results from disordered eating and malnourishment involves changes to sex hormones.

Females experiencing malnourishment often experience changes to their female sex characteristics such as a loss of menstrual cycle. Women’s breasts also become smaller, as the body attempts to fuel itself by burning available fat.

The Value of Shared Experiences

Shared experiences are an incredible part of the human experience.

Whether experiencing a mental or physical illness or faced with a social or economic struggle, hearing the experiences of those that have been through the same thing and realizing you are not alone can be incredibly comforting and inspiring.

When it comes to eating disorder treatment, shared experiences have incredible value.

As mentioned above, females experience various physical changes due to malnourishment that they may be more comfortable discussing around individuals that have been through the same.

Women and men also experience the world around them differently in relation to societal expectations of masculine and feminine. Sharing and processing the harmful feminine expectations that may have contributed to eating disorder symptomology with those that understand can be helpful.

These shared experiences can also provide a glimmer of hope for recovery, as another study found that reading or hearing recovery stories of others led to participants generating thoughts about “the possibility of recovery” and helped them to feel more understood and less alone [1].

Woman struggling with an eating disorder

This does not mean it is not possible to discuss these struggles, challenges, and experiences when men are in treatment.

However, studies show that women often felt their voices were “filtered and constrained within treatment” when men were included in treatment [2].

In fact, men reported feeling similarly, showing that, in the context of treatment, gender and sex differences must be considered in order to provide the most effective and impactful treatment.

Catering Eating Disorder Treatment Specifically for Women

The truth is, this extends beyond the binary genders of “male” and “female.” In fact, it extends even beyond gender at all. No client should be pigeon-holed into one monolithic group.

However, when we recognize the shared experiences and similarities between clients and use that to their advantage, communities flourish, and recovery becomes even more possible.

References:

[1] Dawson, L. et al. (2018). Are recovery stories helpful for women with eating disorders? A pilot study and commentary on future research. Journal of Eating Disorders, 6:21.

[2] Thapliyal, P. et al. (2018). Role of gender in the treatment experiences of people with an eating disorder: a metasynthesis. Journal of Eating Disorders, 6:18.

About Our Sponsor:

Canopy Cove Eating Disorder Treatment Center is a leading residential Eating Disorder Treatment Center with 25 years’ experience treating adults and teens who are seeking lasting recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and other related eating disorders.

We are a licensed rehabilitative provider accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Trusted and recommended by doctors and therapists throughout the country, our program provides clients with clinical excellence and compassionate care.

As one of the most experienced Eating Disorder Centers in the nation, we’ve developed a highly effective program that incorporates solid evidence-based therapies that have been shown to increase recovery rates.

  • Each person we treat receives a customized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
  • We increase recovery rates by simultaneously treating co-existing conditions such as anxiety, depression. (We also accept clients with an Eating Disorder and co-existing Diabetes).
  • We provide family education and family therapy throughout the recovery process. (Offered by phone for out of town families).
    Our Christian-based eating disorder treatment program warmly accepts all clients from various belief systems.

Get help now. Call 855-338-8620.
www.canopycove.com
[email protected]

Image of Margot Rittenhouse.About the Author: 

Margot Rittenhouse, MS, PLPC, NCC is a therapist who is passionate about providing mental health support to all in need and has worked with clients with substance abuse issues, eating disorders, domestic violence victims, and offenders, and severely mentally ill youth.

As a freelance writer for Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope and a mentor with MentorConnect, Margot is a passionate eating disorder advocate, committed to de-stigmatizing these illnesses while showing support for those struggling through mentoring, writing, and volunteering. Margot has a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published on November 21, 2018.
Reviewed & Approved on November 21, 2018, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC

Published on EatingDisorderHope.com