This post has only been up a while but I don't think I'm going to get many, if any, replies to my question.

So I'm opening up the discussion a bit more. What should I expect (apart from the obvious) when I go into an eating disorder unit? What kind of therapies have you done as an in-patient nd what has helped you the most?

This is still mainly aimed at people in the UK as I don't know if they're is a big difference in treatment strategies elsewhere. But if you want to post feel free, could you just put where your from at the top please?

Thank you,
x-Bliss-x

Sorry I cannot help you but if they specialise in eating disorders it is better than a Mental Health unit where all sorts of mental patients go to. They are sure to know what they are doing, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe see if they have a web site?

Hey, I didn't really expect anyone to be in my area, it's too bigger site but it was worth asking.

I have looked at their website and it does look nice there. Knowing it's the sister hospital to the one I went in for my Bipolar makes me more confident as the treatment there was really nice. When I was hospitalised that time I was paying for it privately...EXPENSIVE!!! But this time my therapist is going through the NHS for us as we can't fund any more hospitalisations. That one hit us a bit out of the blue so we didn't really have much choice. The local NHS psychiatric hospitals are dumps and there was no way my Mum was going to let me get sent there.

x-Bliss-x

From Indiana-USA

Hey hun, wasn't ignoring you. Just got back. I've been to a wonderful inpatient treatment in Arizona. Not sure what you're asking-I'll try to help. At remuda ranch we weren't weighed often. We did have to eat 3 healthy meals a day and the monitored us. Snacks also. They will watch you after you eat so you don't purge. We had a spiritual community where we'd gather at the beginning of the day and plan out the day. We had a lot of activities and things to keep us busy. Horseback riding, exercising, swimming, going shopping... But, they had a great team there. One on one therapy, anger therapy-whatever fits your needs. We also had group thereapy every evening. Then we were free to do whatever.. Watch T.v., play piano, listen to music, art..I hope this has helped you a little. My inpatient stay was very helpful and I took what I learned from there and continued on. I stayed inpatient 6 weeks, then I stayed at the residential part for 2 months. Anything else I can help you with?

thank you hja for your response.

I've heard of Remuda Ranch before. It does sound like a great place to try and recover. I'm expecting there to be art therapy and group sessions here in the UK too.

I guessed there would be a 3 meals a day regieme but snacks? Could yo give me an idea of what a typical days food plan would be? I'd just like to be as prepared for the change as possible so I don't get such a shock.
Thank you again :)

x-Bliss-x

Sorry for bumping this thread but I had a question on the end that I'd really like answering. I don't know if people on here get annoyed with bumping threads so I thought I'd just say sorry just incase.

x-Bliss-x

Yes, you eat real foods, like eggs, potatoes, meat, ..BUT, they'er healthy and in small quantities. Their team there is so great about being sensitive to our problems. If I remember correctly, they choose your meals according to the healthy amount needed. They never overwhelm you. You'll eat breakfast and then have community. do some activities and therapy. Then lunch, they cater to your specific needs and then usually, one-on-one therapy. It's the best--they are so good about getting to the root of the problem. See, the owners of the ranch had a teenage daughter who died from ED, that's why they opened up this treatment center. Their team is so loving and compassionate. They work on issues like anger, shame, panic attacks, anxiousness to try to get to the root. Dinner is the same as well. Don't be scared. they're very understanding there. And gentle. They have art therapy as well as others. Snacks are healthy, such as, fruit, healthy bars(like protein bars), ... I know you can do this. I promise once you take the first step to go and open up to them(they don't overwhelm you), you'll be grateful. Did this help any.

Thank you for the encouragements :) They sound like a very caring nursing team there. I hope this treatment center is the same. It should be because it's actually under the private sector. I'm under a private pdoc which is expensive but it meant I got treatment quicker. He's the one who's going to refer me and it's linked to their hospitals (Cygnet) it's just that they also take NHS patients. I can't fund something like this so he's going to do everything he can as quickly as possible to put my case together for an NHS referral.

I actually recieved a call from my pdoc's receptionist with a message that although he his at a confrence all day today, they are getting together all the paper work to present a case for my referral so fingers crossed.

x-Bliss-x