My 27 Yr Old Niece Has Been In The Hospital/Treatment Center For 2 Weeks. She Has Severe Anorexia For Over 5 Years -5’6″ -80 Pds – Numerous Medical Issues. She Is Incredible Intelligent, With A Medical Degree. The Treatment Center Refuses To Give Her An

My 27 Yr Old Niece Has Been
Trying2Help – 04/04/2012 – 07:07

My 27 yr old niece has been in the hospital/treatment center for 2 weeks. She has severe anorexia for over 5 years -5’6″ -80 pds – numerous medical issues. She is incredible intelligent, with a medical degree. The treatment center refuses to give her any ‘privileges’ (not even allowed to talk to a counselor 1-on-1) until she gains more weight and gets her BMI up to an acceptable number (as they state her mind has been so starved she cannot think/rationalize at this point, and counseling will do nothing for her). She cries ALL the time. States she is in a “prison” and just wants to “talk to someone who understands”. She gets group therapy once a day, but otherwise is confined to her room (not allowed to walk or even stand to fold clothes, as that is “too much exercise”). She tried to sign herself out of the treatment center; however, the Dr. stated he will go to a judge to get her declared incompetent, as she is too sick to leave. I’m reinforcing to my sister and niece that this center knows best and this course of treatment (or lack thereof) is what is needed for recovery; however, it breaks my heart every time we visit – all she does is cry. If anyone has gone through this – or experienced a loved one that has gone through this … please advise. How long does it take? Is this “normal” treatment? Is what she experiencing typical?

This Sounds Extreme To Me.
iowamom1955 – 04/04/2012 – 15:55

this sounds extreme to me. She needs human contact, someone with her as much as possible to re-enforce that she is important, that she has a life to live, a purpose – she needs contact – like hugs – she needs to be surrounded by people who love her and care about her. I feel that putting her in a room like that just re-enforces the feelings she already has that she doesn’t deserve anything better, that she is in this fight alone and the only *thing* that understands her is her eating disorder, so I feel she will just continue to feel worthless and continue practicing her eating disorder – what else does she have? I was in treatment once for two months about 2 hours away from my home and had no family members come to visit. I had more contact than described here, but the emphasis was put on food and eating and gaining weight and did not really get to the real, under-lying issues. I hope that someone comes to realize that this particular treatment is probably not waht she needs, I feel so bad for her, my heart breaks for her, battling anorexia or any eating disorder is so very tough and a long ongoing life-long process. I Wish you and your niece all the best and I will keep her in my prayers.

Thank You!
Trying2Help – 04/05/2012 – 05:27

Thank you!