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"We initially chose IRIS because of the past experiences and their credible research-based, high-quality modules that align with specific areas of growth and need to support a state-directed corrective action plan in our region."

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"We initially chose IRIS because of the past experiences and their credible research-based, high-quality modules that align with specific areas of growth and need to support a state-directed corrective action plan in our region."

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From Dr. Tamar Chansky Creator of Worrywisekids.org

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What number should you call if you have an eating disorder?

ANAD Helpline

Find Treatment Near You
There are also hotlines that are designed to help people in general crisis, staffed by empathetic, trained individuals who can help you process difficult feelings. These hotlines can be a lifeline when times are tough. The professionals can help you map out a plan for full recovery, such as connecting you with eating disorder treatment centers, in addition to helping you in the moment.

Call for a free consultation

Eating Disorder Hotlines

What Happens When You Call a Hotline?

When you call an eating disorder hotline, the experience will vary, depending on a number of factors.

When you initially call, you may have to go through some basic automated prompts. This is usually to identify more about the nature of your call. Once you answer these questions, there may be a short wait, after which you should be connected with another person.

This individual is likely a volunteer, although reputable hotlines train their volunteers and equip them with the means to get you in contact with medical professionals, if needed.

Oftentimes, eating disorder hotlines connect callers with local treatment and support resources, so they can get on a path to a full recovery. This provides callers with a long-term plan after the short-term intervention.

Regardless of what the experience is like, with all of the above hotlines-and any other run by a reputable source-you can expect the call to be free and confidential.

The Steps to Get Help for an Eating Disorder

Getting help for an eating disorder can be much easier than many people envision. Even making the effort to seek treatment is a genuine milestone that represents an important part of your recovery.

While the exact process varies, depending on your specific condition(s), insurance provider, and a number of other factors, there are a few general steps that will help connect you to the help you need.

Get Relevant Information About Local Resources

Doing some research is a good first step for most things, including seeking eating disorder treatment.

Through either your own research or the information you get through eating disorder hotlines, you can make an effort to learn about the relevant treatment resources in your area. Ideally, you're going to learn about some treatment providers who can provide you with the best, most targeted care for your specific condition(s).

Seek a Diagnosis

Most treatment providers need to see an official diagnosis to admit you to a program. This is not to "prove" that you really have an eating disorder, but to help them understand the specific types of treatment that will be most likely to help you.

To obtain one, you'll have to contact your primary care physician or another trained medical professional. You'll then likely undergo a patient assessment and a medical exam. [5]

A clinician will ask you questions and perform some diagnostic tests to better understand your situation and daily habits, helping them to make a determination of your medical, nutritional, psychological, and social functioning and needs.

While it may still be possible for mental health professionals to provide some help even without a diagnosis, certain treatment approaches work better for different types of eating disorders. A proper diagnosis will also help you to potentially get medications that can assist with your symptoms and make it easier to identify any nutritional deficiencies and similar problems you may have developed.

Begin Treatment

With an official diagnosis, you can generally begin treatment. The standard treatment for an eating disorder consists of individual therapy-usually either cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy-along with nutritional counseling, meal assistance, and possibly medication consultations and group or family therapy, depending on the situation. If you have a co-occurring mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety disorder, it's important to also address those concerns throughout the process. Treating co-occurring disorders simultaneously is generally considered a more successful approach to recovery than treating each disorder in isolation.

Recovering from an Eating Disorder

Getting treated for an eating disorder takes time and persistence. A quick fix may not be possible, but don't give up on your treatment.

Treatment can help you learn to reduce some of your most dangerous habits and improve your physical health, even before you're considered in full "recovery." You'll learn dietary planning and how to channel some of your negative thoughts in healthier ways. You're also likely to see notable improvements in your sense of self and your overall happiness as you get treatment.

If you feel little progress has been made even after a few weeks or months with a treatment professional, you can consider trying treatment with a different professional to see if their approach may help you more.

But remember: progress isn't necessarily linear. Many people experience recovery in a series of fits and spurts. The most important thing to keep in mind is that help is possible, and seeking it can help lead you to a healthier and happier future.

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Eating Disorder Hotlines | Who to Call for Help Today

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Comprehensive list of eating disorder helpline numbers to call for help with anything from bulimia to anorexia to binge eating disorder. Get help today.

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Child Mind Institute | Transforming Children’s Lives.

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The Child Mind Institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children struggling with mental health and learning disorders.

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Working to deliver a better special education service

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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Admin

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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Admin

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Welcome to the Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons and their family members who are seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for a recent onset of serious mental illnesses such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other conditions. These evidence-based programs provide medication, therapy, family and peer support, assistance with education and employment and other services.

Individuals who experience a first onset of serious mental illness - which can include a first episode of psychosis - may experience symptoms that include problems in perception (such as seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling something that is not real), thinking (such as believing in something that is not real even when presented with facts), mood, and social functioning. There are effective treatments available and the earlier that an individual receives treatment, the greater likelihood that these treatments can lead to better outcomes and enable people to live full and productive lives with their family and friends.

States requesting treatment facilities information to be placed on the ESMI Treatment Locator should submit their request to ESMI@samhsa.hhs.gov.

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early serious mental illness treatment locator

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Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator

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Welcome to the Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons and their family members who are seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for a recent onset of serious mental illnesses such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other conditions.

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https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

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Most children and parents will have some distress or upset - so how do I know when a child or family needs additional help?

Ask your patients (and their parents) about reactions and coping.

Listen for ongoing or severe traumatic stress symptoms.

Consider a referral for a more thorough evaluation with a mental health professional if:

Traumatic stress reactions are severe or prolonged (more than a month).

Traumatic stress reactions interfere with recovery or with returning to normal activities.

Consider: Is the child participating in daily activities to the extent possible given their medical condition? Are stress reactions interfering with treatment adherence? Are new fears or worries troubling the child or parent?

Steps for making a referral Effective mental health treatment for traumatic stress Online resources - help in finding a mental health professional Distinguishing between types of mental health professionals
Therapist Resource Guide: There are many ongoing stressors that children and families endure after diagnosis of an illness or an injury. This guide focuses specifically on medical traumatic stress and responses that children and families may have.

Steps for making a referral

Mention concerns you have identified.
Say something like: "I'm concerned that (you are / your child is) having these upsetting thoughts and feelings. It might be useful to talk with a specialist who can help your family more."

Involve child and family in making a plan.
Ask for their ideas about what is needed now
Say something like: "What issues or difficulties are impacting you / your family the most right now? What would help make things better?"

Ask for permission to offer advice. Present advice as range of possibilities; be sure to incorporate patient/family ideas

Say something like: "I have some suggestions that have helped other patients in the past in situations similar to yours. May I share them with you?"

Range of possibilities might include: patient education materials / websites; speaking with social worker, local clergy, school counselor; seeking out support group, referral to therapist / community mental health center.

Ask about their readiness to act on this now or in the future.
Say something like: "Is this (suggested plan) something you would be willing to do when you leave today, or if you need it next week...month?"

Ask about barriers to potential plans / referrals, and strategies to overcome barriers.
Say something like: "What kinds of things would interfere with following-up on this plan we just discussed? How can we work through this so you end up getting the help you need.?"

Involve the child and parent in setting the agenda*:*Adapted from Wissow et al. (2008)

Keep the door open.

If your patient or their parents are not quite ready to act on a suggested referral now, arrange to follow up to see how your patient is doing.

You might say: "I'd like to talk with you again in a few weeks to see how things are going."

Promote continuity of care.
If your care for this patient is ending, ask permission to communicate your concerns about traumatic stress reactions or risk factors to the child's primary care provider, or to other providers who will continue to take care of this patient.

Facilitating collaboration between pediatric health care and mental health providers: The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Mental Health has developed tools to facilitate collaboration between pediatric health care providers and mental health professionals, including a Physician Referral and Feedback Form template

Effective mental health treatment for traumatic stress

There are very good and helpful treatments for children who continue to have traumatic stress symptoms.
What treatment approaches are effective?
Evidence-based treatments include cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches, and in particular Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).

Click here for a fact sheet about effective treatments for youth trauma from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

A recent article includes informative summaries of effective mental health treatments for child traumatic stress symptoms, and guidance for health care professionals:
Cohen, J, Kelleher, K, Mannarino, A.. Identifying, treating, and referring traumatized children: The role of pediatric providers. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 2008;162(5):447-452 How can I help parents find effective treatment for their child?
When helping parents find a counselor or therapist to help their child with traumatic stress symptoms, you might suggest that they ask prospective therapists questions such as:

Do you have experience working with children after trauma?

What is your approach to working with this type of problem?

What is your success rate?

How do you work with parents?

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers useful tips and information about finding a mental health professional to help children and their families after trauma.

Online resources - help in finding a mental health professional

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has trauma-trained, child mental health professionals and community-based treatment centers in 35 states in the US. For information about or referral to a NCTSN center near you, please go to the NCTSN Organizational Members site.
American Psychological Association - Psychologist Locator National Association of Social Workers - Find a Licensed Social Worker American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists - Psychiatrist Finder Anxiety Disorders Association of America - Find a Therapist Sidran Institute Help Desk - Locate Trauma Resources ISTSS Clinician Directory - Find a Clinician, Counselor or Mental Health Professional
Distinguishing between types of mental health professionals

Psychologists are professionals who have earned a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) after 4-6 years of graduate-level training in human behavior and development, psychological testing and evaluation, and psychotherapy. Psychologists are licensed by the state in which they practice.

Psychiatrists are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) who have completed medical school, plus additional advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders and emotional and behavioral problems. Psychiatrists are licensed by the state in which they practice. As medical doctors, psychiatrists can prescribe and monitor medications.

Clinical Social Workers are professionals who have earned a master's degree (M.S.W.) after 2-3 years of graduate training. Clinical Social Workers are licensed by the state in which they practice (LCSW or similar credential - varies by state).

Marriage and Family Therapists are professionals who have completed a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) after 2-3 years of graduate training. Some Marriage and Family Therapists have completed a required amount of clinical hours and passed a state-administered examination to become licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT).

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) & Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) are mental health professionals who have earned a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) after 2-3 years of graduate training and have obtained a required amount of clinical experience and passed a state-administered licensing examination.

For more information on the training and credentialing of mental health professionals, see Mayo Clinic: Mental health providers.

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When and How to Refer for Mental Health Care

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Pediatric providers can follow specific steps to determine if and how to refer a child and familiy for further mental health services after a medically traumatic event. Providers can also become familiar with current evidence-based treatments and online resources for mental health services for traumatic stress.

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Eating Recovery Center | Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center The Woodlands

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Located within The Woodlands Medical Center, and overlooking a serene creek for a comfortable recovery environment, the ERC and Pathlight center in The Woodlands, Texas focuses specifically on eating disorder treatment for adults, adolescents, and children, as well as mood and anxiety disorder treatment for adolescents and children.

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http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/special-education-referral-process/