eating disorder recovery centers!

my mom and i were thinking this is the best choice for me, she says insurance will cover me for a month..

i am afraid though because don't they only accept anorexics with BMI's lower than 17.5? i could be totally wrong, but i have always heard that...

right now i am 5'6'' and 101 pounds, i am just afraid that by the time i actually go, my BMI will be too high or something and i wont be able to go. i really dont know how these things work? can anyone tell me what it's like?

i just think it is best for me because i am TERRIFIED of eating out, and basically just avoid all food that i dont make or prepare. another reason is i will be completely out of my comfort zones and hopefully it will make me give up my behaviors once and for all..

any advice or comments are greatly appreciated!!

hey chick i thnk thats a grt idea. i gather you mean ip . ip can be good depending on the person some people find it a real support, kind of taking a bit of the pressure off with the decison making and food , and away to tackle there behaviors. others might find it not so helpful it kind of reinforces the anorexia if you know what a mean. its well worth a chance for you, it could be the turning point you need to aid your recovery there is certainly all the help and support there if you need it. as for your concern over your weight pklease dont let this stop you , you are still very much underweight , it doesent matter what your weight is , you are there for you , and you need the support. it isnt just about weight ive been to many units with patients admitted with normal weights , its also about your unhealthy mindset . i  hope it works for you let me know what happens you can do it h x

the LAST thing you need to be worrying about it gaining too much weight to be accepted into the recovery center. just take it one day at a time and focus yourself on getting better- with or without the center. if it turns out you can go then that's great, but the possibility of going should not hinder you eating.

much love you you! *hugs*

true...but i just really want to go there because i feel like it could help a lot...therapy has never worked for me, and i feel like i could recover in that environment. i'm just afraid i will look too normal/fat or something...i know it's stupid...

I've been to inpatient treatment for anorexia before and don't worry about looking too normal/fat. First off, you know that is ED telling you that. Second, where I went girls were admitted and discharged at different times, so in other words when I was admitted there were girls there that were getting ready to leave and had where at or close to a healthy weight for their height. And honestly, does that really matter?? You obviously know that you need help. You don't deserve it any less than someone else. I hope you get to go! What treatment centers are you looking at? 

its something ive been considering for some time to

I have been inpatient and day patient for anorexia at a few different places. There are people even for anorexia that are normal weight sometimes. They may have lost a lot of weight quickly or though normal range restrict to where there either impacted mentally or physically and need help making changes. This is not just about a number on the scale. Also there are a mix of people from bulimia to overeaters etc so there will be a range of weight from severly under to severly over. The reason you go is yes to get to a healthy weight and to eat adequatly but also to work on ways to cope and the underlying issues behind your ed. What program are you looking in to and when? Also it is not going to be a cure going in. Yes it can help you get the tools to be healthy and get you more nurished but then you have to continue that outside. Many people have the fear you have going inpatient. You will be amazed at how supportive and non judgmental everyone is. They know the battle mentally this and that is not just about food/weight. Good luck in your choice but in the meantime I hope you are taking care

i am not sure, my mom has to call her insurance and see what will cover me and then she was going to give me a list of different places to see if i liked them.

i'm just afraid i'm not 'sick enough' for inpatient programs. but i feel like i really need it, i don't know what else to do, and i need some outside help and i'm not afraid to admit to that.

well it's not that i am afraid of being the biggest one there or anything, i am afraid i won't qualify or something?

please try not to worry abbi put it so right you are still underweight and you clearly recognise you need more help dont let this stop you. you owe it to yourself this could be your chance. a good thing about eating d units is theres always someone to talk to , and help you reason with that ed voice. when i was ip people came in at normal weights , the weight is just part of it. follow you heart lol h x

so there isnt restrictions on who can receive treatment?

There is no qualify so to speak. Some insurance companies are the problem. Like mine even in the cardiac unit and when I was 40 pounds under would not cover me so the place unless paid out of pocket would not take me. Some programs won't take you if you are medically unstable and need a hospital but there is not a certain low number weight. I knew a girl who had a pace maker but she was always average weight but the pace maker was due to her ed behaviors.May I ask what state you are in? I have went out of state for inpatient but always feel it is better in your own state if possible because of after care.

i live in CA

There ar so many centers in Ca.I used to live there. I went to one there though I would not suggest it but there are a lot of other programs in all different parts of Ca. I do feel though it is less the program and more what you are willing to do. Some though if you have trauma or other addictions may suit you better.

thanks for your help abbi!

You can direct message me anytime. Hang in there and I hope you get the help you feel you need but also take care in the now