Numerous studies have shown that individuals with eating disorders often suffer from another disorder. The most common disorders co-occurring with eating disorders include mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and self-injuring behavior. Another common disorder co-occurring with eating disorders is substance use disorder. For those struggling with two separate diagnoses, like an eating disorder and substance abuse disorder, it is extremely important for them to receive treatment that targets and addresses both issues.
What are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders, also called a dual diagnosis, occur when someone is diagnosed with two or more disorders, usually two mental health disorders like an eating disorder and clinical depression, or a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder like drug or alcohol abuse.v co-occurring disorders are very common among those diagnosed with an eating disorder. For example, in an extensive study conducted on 2,400 people hospitalized for an eating disorder, researchers found that 97 out of every 100 persons in the study had one or more co-occurring disorders and conditions.
Further, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) reports that in a study of women with eating disorders, 94 percent of participants had a co-occurring mood disorder and 92 percent were struggling with a depressive disorder. NEDA also reveals that 48-51 percent of people with anorexia nervosa, 54-81 percent of people with bulimia nervosa, and 55-65 percent of people with binge eating disorder are diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Extensive reports also show that a substantial number of people with eating disorders suffer from substance abuse disorders. A three-year-long study conducted by CASA found that:
- Half of all individuals with eating disorders abuse alcohol or drugs, compared to only 9% of the general population.
- Up to 35% of people who abuse alcohol or drugs have an eating disorder, compared to 3% of the general population.
- Those who abuse alcohol or illicit drugs are up to 11 times more likely to have eating disorders.
The Treatment Gap
These numbers reveal a reality that unfortunately, many eating disorder treatment programs ignore: individuals with eating disorders are often suffering from other co-occurring disorders, and in order to fully heal and recover, they need to be treated for both disorders (not just one) with a unique and cohesive approach. Tragically, however, many eating disorder patients with a co-occurring disorder are either denied treatment or aren’t receiving the type of treatment they need simply because many eating disorder programs only specialize in ED treatment and aren’t fully equipped to treat co-occurring disorders.
Here at Ai Pono, however, we believe true and lasting recovery will only come when we not only address the ED symptoms and behaviors but also uncover and treat the co-occurring disorder. Why? Oftentimes the co-occurring disorder played an integral role in the development of the eating disorder and continues to fuel the eating disorder behaviors. For example, one in four people with an eating disorder have symptoms of PTSD, and as we at Ai Pono have found, many of our patients with PTSD symptoms use eating disorder behaviors to cope with and distract themselves from the memories and thoughts associated with their PTSD trauma. If we simply try to change their ED behaviors and fix the eating problems without addressing their PTSD, we fail to treat the underlying issue, meaning complete and lasting recovery won’t be possible.
Treatment for Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders
So how do we uncover and treat co-occurring disorders while also addressing eating disorder symptoms and behaviors? First, it is crucial for any individual seeking eating disorder treatment to be thoroughly assessed by a mental health professional (ideally one who is trained in both eating disorders and other mental health disorders), in order to determine if another co-occurring disorder exists and if it does, how best to treat it during ED recovery.
We start by providing each one of our residential patients with a full psychiatric assessment upon arrival to the program. The assessment is offered by our Medical Director and is the first step in every one of our patient’s recovery processes and it allows us to identify and better understand any previous mental health diagnosis and also explore possible symptoms of undiagnosed co-occurring disorders. Patients will then meet with Dr. Teliho on a weekly or as-needed basis for the duration of their stay with us.
The second approach we use in treating co-occurring disorders is to employ a blend of holistic, multi-modal approaches to the treatment approach. Just like there is no single cause for eating disorders or for co-occurring disorders, there is also no single treatment method that will heal the disorders. Each person has their own unique story and struggles, and because of this, we never rely on a one-size-fits-all approach when treating eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. Rather, our blend of methods like EMDR, art and movement therapy, individual and group therapy, and pharmaceutical intervention (when appropriate), is designed to address and meet the needs of each individual patient and support them on their path to recovery. Some of the co-occurring disorders we treat here at Ai Pono include depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, and PTSD.
Another way the ‘Ai Pono Eating Disorder Program is specifically geared towards addressing and treating co-occurring disorders is its unique environment. Our residential program, nestled in a safe, home-like setting on the beautiful island of Maui, provides a serene space where women can come and completely focus on restoring and healing their mental health. Immersed in the beauty of Hawaii, beachside views, and removed from the distractions and stressors of everyday life, patients at the ‘Ai Pono Eating Disorder program enjoy a recovery process that is relaxed, focused, and restorative. Complete and lasting recovery from an eating disorder and co-occurring disorder is possible.
At ‘Ai Pono Hawaii we have seen countless women fully eliminate both their eating disorders and co-occurring disorders and go on to live beautiful, happy, fully-recovered lives. We have intentionally built our program to accommodate and treat women with co-occurring disorders. Our team of doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and dietitians make it possible for women with everything from PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders to come and find hope and healing both from their eating disorder and their co-occurring disorder.
If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, take the first step today and talk to someone about recovery or simply learn more about the recovery programs we offer.
