Questions about hospitalization?

Generally, what bmi are those with eating disorders admitted to IP? Are anorexics the only ones admitted, or can bulimics be admitted as well? If so, what would be the severity of bulimia?

I have alot of Q's that im wondering about and will ask my psychiatrist but in the meantime, anyone know?

It really is an individual thing. From your post, I'm assuming you're bulimic.  I've been inpatient 8+ times for anorexia (and i'm only 16).  

Every time I've been inpatient or in residential, the patients are all very different.  There's always bulimics, anorexic, ed-nos, etc.  Going inpatient is scary as hell, and you can't always know what to expect.  It's hard to hand over your control and trust to the doctors there, but it could save your life.  Bulimia is incredibly dangerous, even at higher weights.  There are so many issues (electrolyte imbalances, bad labs, heart problems, etc).  When I've been ip, there are people at all different weights (underweight, average weight, even overweight).  More often for bulimics, they're hospitalized for other health problems or just a need to change  that they can't do on their own.  And it's nothing to be ashamed of.  Here's a website that has lots of reviews of different treatment programs: http://edtreatmentreview.wordpress.com/

Also, for more stable ED'd people, they can go to residential programs rather than hospital-based programs.  Resi programs are more long-term, and often more successful.  What i think is really important to understand is that only you can change yourself.  You are in control, its all about choices.  A program can give you the kickstart in the right direction, but what you do outside of the program matters more.  If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer more specific ones (like what a first day is typically like, etc).  

Good luck, and remember you know yourself best, and you know what you need.  ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, esp. to health insurance people (aka the devil lol)

<3

Thank you so much for your post! Its very informative, thank you. And im in canada, so it would all be free for me anyways :-) i love our health care!

but anyways, im bulimic and anorexic, my bmi is 16.8, so im really in a rut here. Im decreasing my b/p episodes significantly though, and my binges are much more controlled than they were. Im making progress, but i have such a long road to go.Im managing 2800 cals/day, which is good.

I used to b/p on average 3 times a day, now its maybe once a week. In a way, i would really like to go to IP to just simply be looked after and kept sane, does that make any sense? lol, i like the structure that would accompany IP.

Do u think i would be considered a candidate for IP treatment based upon my history? (Personally, i think i wouldnt be, considering my ED isnt as advanced as some other peoples'...)

the notion that you are not a 'good candidate' for  ip because your eating disorder isnt 'as advanced as some ppl's is absolutely ridiculous.

you are underweight. you are engaging in behaviour that is incredibly dangerous. the only criteria for ip is: an eating disorder that is life/health interfering and a want on your part, to get better.

there is no benefit to inpatient treatment if you are in worse shape physically. are you aiming to get to that point to warrant treatment?

Seriously, fidget? Wow, i thought they wouldnt take me at such a 'high' bmi as compared to other anorexics. I thought they'd push me aside to make room for the 12-13 bmi category.

Is my life at risk by throwing up so much?

Reguardless, i am going to the hospital tomorrow ASAP.

Original Post by liveyourlife101:

Seriously, fidget? Wow, i thought they wouldnt take me at such a 'high' bmi as compared to other anorexics. I thought they'd push me aside to make room for the 12-13 bmi category.

Is my life at risk by throwing up so much?

Reguardless, i am going to the hospital tomorrow ASAP.

Your BMI is dangerously low, not high. Yes, you put your life at risk by throwing up. One episode of vomiting can cause an electrolyte imbalance serious enough to induce a heart attack.

I think it's very common to think that you are "not sick enough" to go to IP, but this is just disordered thinking. It's just thinking you're "not thin enough" for another reason - basically, it's just wrong. If you have an eating disorder, you are sick and a valid candidate for IP treatment.

I have been in IP with people ranging from underweight to overweight. Your BMI is not that important for assessment, it's your behavioural patterns and psychological state that matters. If anything, people with a very low BMI would only be admitted to hospital until they were stable enough to handle an IP facility.

Yes your life is at risk by throwing up, it puts alot of strain on the body and can cause alot of damage that you dont always see.

Your bmi is very underweight and it doesnt matter how advanced you might think your history is/isnt, you are a candidate for IP. There are a wide range of bmis in IP facilities so dont let that put you off. You`ll find quite a lot of IP clinics wont take someone with a bmi of 12 or 13 because its to low, they are sent to hospital first.

Definitely go to the hospital and seek some proper advice, you certainly deserve treatment.

Thank you everyone for your replies! Im doing the outpatient program as of now, and if things dont improve ill be in IP.

Whats IP like????

Original Post by liveyourlife101:

Thank you everyone for your replies! Im doing the outpatient program as of now, and if things dont improve ill be in IP.

 

Whats IP like????

 Awful.

I wish you luck.

Thanks.

Thought so.

Original Post by vanilla_swirl:

Original Post by liveyourlife101:

Thank you everyone for your replies! Im doing the outpatient program as of now, and if things dont improve ill be in IP.

 

Whats IP like????

 Awful.

I wish you luck.

Honestly, what was the point of this reply? If you're going to stop someone from considering inpatient until they're on death's door because you had to reply, you're being very selfish.

I actually loved inpatient. It was so good just to be looked after, be able to eat regular meals when I wouldn't let myself, and be in a supportive recovery environment. I met lots of good friends there who I am still friends with today, many of whom have also fully recovered.

In inpatient treatment we had our 3 main meals and 3 snacks each day. We also had a timetable of activities. That was one of the best things. It meant I couldn't obsess over food/my body all day and had to get involved in other things. It gave me interests outside of food (like the art and yoga classes we did). And we also had classes like massage, body image, nutrition, assertiveness, group therapy and individual therapy.

Some of the staff I loved and some I didn't, but that's the same at school or work or anywhere else you go.

For meals we were given a menu at the beginning of the week with four breakfast options, and two options each for lunch and dinner for each day. We chose all our meals for the week in advance so there were no suprises. We worked with a nutritionist to choose our snacks for the week as snacks depended on likes/dislikes and also could be larger or smaller depending on how fast you were gaining.

To begin with you had no exercise priveleges - you could walk around the building to get from A to B but couldn't go on exercise walks. After you'd been there about a month you could start to earn exercise priveleges if your BMI was high enough.

I think your IP experience is going to depend on how much you want to be there. If you don't want to recover, yes IP will be horrible because it is focused on recovery. But if you are sick of being sick and actually want your life back, IP can be a great experience. It was for me - definitely one of the best decisions I ever made was to go.

I really would urge you to consider ip i think you would really benefit from the support . several people go into hospital with ed some at bmi s of 10 others of normal weight . it really isnt just about weight although you are still very underweight . its also about mindset as well there will be people there to help you change some of your habits . it sounds like you have alot of work to do and i think ip would be best for you , it dosent have to be forever .i would speak to your team explain how you are feeling , this is a real chance for you to get the help you need to overcome some of you habits , you deserve that chance dont let the ed make you think otherwise all my love h x

Wonderful advice, thank you tessa1223 and merylwhite1!

Swimfan93 did a good job of explaining the answer. Theres a variety of people, there isnt a trend I've seen in who gets admitted. Bulimia is just as common as anorexia in the hospital scene, in fact really common because bulimia is so detrimental to vital signs, electrolytes, and weight.

You wouldn't be the only one in this matter, don't let it stress you out. Inpatient is for the best, do what is best for you. :)

xoxo nicole