Eating disorders are complicated mental health conditions that affect millions of individuals, disrupting their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
As a specified feeding and eating disorder treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, The Summit Wellness Group recognizes the profound impact of these disorders. We are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care through our new mental-health-only program.
Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, our state-of-the-art facility offers a nurturing environment where individuals aged 18 and older can find hope and healing.
Our program combines evidence-based therapies, holistic modalities, and personalized treatment plans to address each client’s unique needs. With a focus on Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), our expert staff delivers tailored interventions to support lasting recovery from eating disorders.
Understanding Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders
Feeding and eating disorders are severe mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors, often accompanied by distress about body weight, shape, or food intake.
The Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes several specific disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Each disorder presents unique challenges, but all can have devastating effects on physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
- Anorexia Nervosa involves severe restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Individuals may engage in excessive exercise or other behaviors to prevent weight gain.
- Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise. Individuals often feel a lack of control during binge episodes.
- Binge Eating Disorder entails frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period, accompanied by feelings of distress, guilt, or shame, but without regular compensatory behaviors.
- ARFID involves restrictive eating not driven by body image concerns but by sensory sensitivities, fear of adverse consequences (choking), or lack of interest in food, often leading to nutritional deficiencies.
- OSFED includes eating disorders that do not meet the full criteria for other diagnoses but still cause significant distress or impairment, such as atypical anorexia, orthorexia, or purging disorder.
Prevalence of Feeding and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders affect millions worldwide, crossing age, gender, and cultural boundaries. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), approximately 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime (that’s 9% of the total population).
Specific prevalence rates include:
- Anorexia Nervosa affects up to 4% of women and 0.3% of men in the US. It has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, with approximately 5-10% of cases resulting in death from complications or suicide.
- Bulimia Nervosa occurs in about 3% of females and 1% of males. It is more common among young adults and adolescents.
- Binge Eating Disorder is the most common eating disorder, affecting 2.6% of adults in the US, with slightly higher rates in women than men.
- ARFID is estimated to affect 5-15% of children and adults, particularly those with sensory processing issues or autism spectrum disorder.
- OSFED accounts for a significant portion of eating disorder cases, with prevalence estimates ranging from 1-5% depending on diagnostic criteria.
These disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders, complicating treatment and recovery.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of eating disorders vary by type but often include physical, behavioral, and psychological indicators:
- Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), preoccupation with food or dieting, and distorted body image.
- Bulimia Nervosa: Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, evidence of purging (sore throat, dental issues), fluctuations in weight, and intense shame or guilt about eating.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Eating large amounts of food rapidly, eating when not hungry, hiding food, and feelings of distress or loss of control during binges.
- ARFID: Significant weight loss or failure to gain weight (in children), avoidance of certain foods or textures, nutritional deficiencies, and dependence on supplements or tube feeding.
- OSFED: A mix of symptoms from other disorders, such as restrictive eating without low body weight or infrequent binge-purge cycles.
Psychologically, individuals may exhibit anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or obsessive thoughts about food and body image. Physically, complications can include heart issues, bone loss, gastrointestinal problems, and electrolyte imbalances.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders arise from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
- Biological: Genetic predisposition plays a role, with studies showing that individuals with a family history of eating disorders are at a higher risk. Neurochemical imbalances, such as those involving serotonin or dopamine, may also contribute.
- Psychological: Traits like perfectionism, low self-esteem, or difficulty managing emotions can increase vulnerability. Co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or trauma, often exacerbate eating disorder behaviors.
- Social: Cultural pressures emphasizing thinness, media portrayals of idealized body types, and societal stigma around weight can trigger or worsen disordered eating. Stressful life events, such as trauma, bullying, or loss, may also act as catalysts.
Understanding these causes is critical to developing effective, individualized treatment plans that address the root of the disorder rather than just its symptoms.
Treating Eating Disorders
Effective treatment for eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions.
Common treatment modalities, many of which we utilize at The Summit Wellness Group, include:
- Medical Stabilization: Medical intervention is critical for men and women with severe physical complications, such as malnutrition or electrolyte imbalances. This may involve hospitalization or refeeding programs to restore health.
- Psychotherapy: Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Therapy (FBT) help address distorted thoughts, manage emotions, and rebuild healthy eating patterns.
- Nutritional Counseling: Registered dietitians work with clients to develop individualized meal plans, restore nutritional balance, and foster a healthy relationship with food.
- Medication: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or mood stabilizers may be prescribed to treat co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety.
- Support Groups: Peer support encourages and reduces isolation, complementing professional treatment.
Treatment occurs across various levels of care, including inpatient, residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and outpatient programs, depending on the individual’s medical and psychological needs.
Though we do not provide residential treatment programs at The Summit Wellness Group, we refer to the best in the business, ensuring our clients receive the best treatment options.
Our comprehensive approach and dedicated care team work tirelessly to offer effective, long-term care for those seeking day or outpatient treatment.
The Summit Wellness Group’s PHP and IOP Services
At The Summit Wellness Group, we offer specialized Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) designed to address feeding and eating disorders with a focus on personalized, evidence-based care.
Our programs are tailored for adults aged 18 and older who require intensive support but do not need 24-hour inpatient care. Here’s how we stand out.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Our PHP is a structured, full-day program, typically running five days a week for six to eight hours daily. It is ideal for individuals transitioning from inpatient care or those needing more support than traditional outpatient therapy. Key features include:
- Comprehensive Therapy: Our PHP incorporates individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy, using modalities like CBT, DBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These therapies target distorted thoughts, emotional regulation, and body image issues.
- Nutritional Support: Guided by dietitians, our team helps clients practice healthy eating in a supportive environment. Individualized meal planning addresses specific dietary needs, including sensory sensitivities for ARFID clients.
- Holistic Approach: We integrate mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy to promote emotional and physical well-being, addressing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
- Peer Support: Group sessions foster community, allowing clients to share experiences and build coping skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Our IOP is a flexible, step-down option for individuals transitioning from PHP or those requiring more support than outpatient care. It typically involves 9-15 hours of weekly treatment, offering morning or evening sessions to accommodate work or school. Key features include:
- Skill-Building Focus: IOP emphasizes practical recovery skills, such as meal planning, emotion regulation, and relapse prevention, enabling clients to integrate recovery into daily life.
- Individualized Care: Each client receives a tailored treatment plan, developed by our multidisciplinary team of therapists, dietitians, and psychiatrists, ensuring comprehensive support.
- Family Involvement: Family therapy sessions educate and empower loved ones to support recovery, addressing the impact of eating disorders on family dynamics.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Our programs are trauma-informed, ensuring a safe space for all clients.
Why The Summit Wellness Group Excels
The Summit Wellness Group distinguishes itself from other treatment facilities through several key strengths:
- Personalized Care: Unlike many facilities that offer one-size-fits-all programs, we create individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s unique needs, whether they have anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, or OSFED. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely to ensure holistic care.
- Compassionate Environment: Our luxurious, newly renovated facilities in Atlanta and Roswell, Georgia, provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere, unlike the sterile settings of some hospitals. Clients feel like “guests in our home,” fostering trust and comfort.
- Evidence-Based Excellence: We use research-backed therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT, delivered by experienced clinicians, ensuring measurable progress. Our programs are accredited and align with the latest clinical guidelines.
- Holistic Integration: In addition to traditional therapies, we are known for the experiential therapies we incorporate into each program, such as yoga, art therapy, and mindfulness meditation. Many facilities claim to offer these programs, but they don’t. Our goal is to address the emotional and spiritual aspects of recovery as well as treat physical symptoms.
- Community and Aftercare: Our alumni group and aftercare programs provide ongoing support, helping clients maintain recovery long after treatment ends. This contrasts with facilities that lack robust post-treatment support.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: Our IOPs’ flexible scheduling allows clients to balance treatment with daily responsibilities, a feature not always available at other centers.
Compared to other facilities, The Summit Wellness Group offers a more personalized, holistic, and compassionate approach, focusing on integrating recovery into real-world settings.
While other centers may excel in specific areas, our combination of evidence-based care, luxurious facilities, and comprehensive aftercare sets us apart as a leader in eating disorder treatment.
Start Your Journey Today
Feeding and eating disorders are complex conditions requiring specialized, compassionate care. At The Summit Wellness Group, we are committed to helping individuals overcome these challenges through our PHP and IOP programs, which offer intensive, evidence-based treatment in a supportive, luxurious environment.
By addressing the physical, psychological, and social aspects of eating disorders, we empower our clients to achieve lasting recovery and live full, meaningful lives. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, give us a call today at (770) 790-4510 to take the first step toward healing.