View our ratings & testimonials on Doctify

For a confidential chat call Freephone on 0808 258 2350

 
Conditions We Treat

Teenage Eating Disorder Rehab

Written By Stuart Croft
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Dr David Barker
Updated October 18, 2024

Navigating the teenage years can be challenging. Alongside mounting pressures from school, home, and social circles, teens must also deal with constant hormonal changes, social media pressures, and academic expectations. Most teens manage to deal with these challenges and enter young adulthood better for the experience; however, some develop disorders and patterns of behaviour that may cause long-term and irreparable harm if not addressed promptly.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder, are serious mental health conditions that harm a teenager’s relationship with food and their body. These disorders are often linked to self-esteem issues, depression, and other underlying mental health challenges. Professional intervention and rehab services can help address the underlying and co-occurring disorders for a complete recovery before permanent physical harm is done. 

Gladstones Clinic is one of only three private rehab clinics in the UK with the facilities, expertise, and qualifications to treat teenagers (16+) for eating disorders and mental health disorders in a fully residential setting. We have a long history of providing safe, effective, and affordable rehab services to teenagers facing a wide range of disorders and addictions, helping them return to their lives with a fresh and positive outlook on their futures and happiness.

Take action against eating disorders today.

Gladstones Clinic offers specialist teenage eating disorder rehab treatment services. Contact us for an obligation-free discussion of your options. 

Learn more about teenage eating disorders

What causes eating disorders in teenagers?

Teenage eating disorders, like other complex disorders, do not have a single determining factor. In almost all cases, they’re the result of a combination of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. The three most common eating disorders in teenagers—Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)—all have a genetic component that increases a teenager’s risk of developing an eating disorder. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and tendencies toward perfectionism may also contribute to the development of an eating disorder, as vulnerable teens struggle for control or seek coping mechanisms.

External factors, such as societal pressure, the influence of media and cultural norms, unstructured and unsupported home environments, and peer pressure, may also lead to body dissatisfaction and the development of an eating disorder as a coping mechanism.

Although females make up the majority of teens with eating disorders, particularly AN and BN, the number of males receiving treatment for BBD has been steadily increasing in recent years. Transgender and gender-diverse teens are at a higher risk for developing eating disorders compared to their cisgender peers.

When to seek treatment for teenage eating disorder?

There is only one correct answer: as soon as possible. Eating disorders affect all aspects of a teenager’s health. Eating disorders can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as permanent organ damage, gastrointestinal harm, reproductive issues, and growth stunting. Additionally, it may cause lifelong negative attitudes and behaviours towards food, significantly harming their quality of life as an everyday pleasure becomes a thrice-daily mental battle.

Accurately diagnosing and addressing the underlying conditions that led to an eating disorder at the earliest opportunity prevents further harm and increases the chances of returning to a healthy relationship with food. 

If you identify any of these symptoms of eating disorders in your teen or one you care about, please consider contacting a physician to address any immediate physical dangers, followed by psychiatric counselling or rehab.

What happens in teenage eating disorder treatment?

Teenage patients (16+) move to Gladstones Clinic’s residential facility in the Cotswolds for a period of 4 weeks. The facility accommodates them in a fully private bedroom with an en suite bathroom, provides constant medical supervision, and guides them through several stages of treatment aimed at restoring physical health and addressing the underlying issues that led to an eating disorder.

1. Assessment & Personalised Treatment Plan

Since there are several factors that could contribute to teenage eating disorders, our first step is thorough assessment and diagnosis. This enables us to design personalised treatment schedules that consider each patient’s unique set of circumstances for an optimal recovery. It’s important to remember that eating disorders may overlap with mental health disorders, so identifying any co-occurring mental health disorders early results in more positive long-term outcomes.

2. Behavioural Therapies

Behavioural therapies form the core of our teenage eating disorder rehabilitation program. Clinically proven therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) empower patients to critically evaluate their thoughts and behaviour patterns, allowing them to identify and address negative thoughts that lead to self-harming behaviour. It also assists patients in developing customised coping mechanisms to manage stressors and triggers after returning home, and it is a standard treatment for eating disorders in clinics worldwide.

3. Addressing Underlying Issues

Many teenagers suffering from eating disorders also present with signs of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Without addressing these underlying issues, teenage eating disorder rehab is unlikely to be fruitful in the long run, as doubt, feelings of emptiness, or fear and uncertainty about the future often drive teens back to eating disorders in an attempt to control or escape.

Experience has also taught us that many teenagers’ struggles with eating disorders originate at home. Whether it’s due to parents who are too demanding, parents who are too absent, or any of the thousands of difficulties UK families face on a daily basis, resolving issues within the family is a key component to long-term recovery for many teenage patients. Wherever possible, Gladstones insists on including immediate family members in their teenager’s treatment to help rebuild trust, improve communication, and actively engage the whole family in the recovery process.

4. Rebuilding Physical Health

Unlike teenage rehab for substance abuse or mental health disorders, recovering from an eating disorder involves a physical component. Many of our eating disorder patients suffer from poor general health at the time of admission, with many being severely underweight. Our experienced team of in-house chefs prepares three nutritionally balanced meals daily, along with snacks and refreshments throughout the day, to fully meet our patients’ nutritional needs. With adequate nutrition comes increased alertness, a stable mood, and the chance to take a more active role in recovery

5. Aftercare and Ongoing Support

We understand that recovering from an eating disorder is an ongoing battle for many. Even after the physical symptoms of an eating disorder have disappeared and the patient seems healthy, lingering psychological factors, sudden and unexpected stressful periods, or new traumas may cause a relapse and a return to old habits. 

Given this, we’ve committed ourselves to our patients’s long-term recovery and have put several aftercare programmes in place to ensure continued access to critical recovery resources. Our incredible and supportive community meets regularly, both in-person and online, to celebrate their successes, motivate each other, and support each other in times of weakness.

 

Get professional help in dealing with teenage eating disorders.

With personalised care and treatment, comfortable and relaxing facilities, and a 20-year track record of successfully treating our teenage patients’ eating disorders, Gladstones Clinic is the ideal partner to start your journey to recovery. 

Proud to be associated with