Behavioral Healthcare

When the alcohol or drug use of someone you care about is cause for concern, our substance abuse treatment professionals can provide a thorough clinical assessment and recommendation for further treatment. Treatment Services:

• Comprehensive assessment of alcohol/drug use and recommendations
• Variable intensity outpatient treatment services
  • Intensive outpatient program
  • Outpatient treatment groups
  • Individual therapy
  • Education about alcohol and other drugs
• Family education and support
• Residential support for women in recovery and their children
• DUI evaluation and risk education
• Urine chemical screening for clients in treatment

Emotional and Behavioral Counseling for Children and Adolescents

Treating the emotional and behavior problems of children and adolescents as they relate to family circumstances is the specialty of our Family Solutions staff. Through individual, family, and group therapy, we offer services for:

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Anxiety
• Anger and aggression management
• Depression
• Delinquency
• Divorce and blended family adjustment
• Family and peer conflicts
• Oppositional and defiant behavior
• Parenting skills and strategies
• School performance, behavior, and social adjustment problems
• Sexual and physical abuse
• Suicidal feelings

Eating Disorders Treatment

Eating Disorders are treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. There are many disorders that involve symptoms related to food, weight and eating, however, there are 3 diagnosable eating disorders in the DSM IV:

1. Anoerxia Nervosa
2. Bulimia Nervosa
3. Eating Disorder NOS

Anoerxia is defined by:

• a refusal to maintain a body weight that is healthy for age and height
• an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even if underweight
• disturbance in the way that one sees or experiences their body; undue influence of body weight & shape on self-evaluation; denial of the seriousness of low body weight
• In females the low body weight may contribute to a lack of menstrual cycle for 3 consecutive months.

There are 2 subtypes of anorexia: Restricting type & Binge-eating/Purging type.   Bulimia is defined by:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating in terms of 1) eating a large amount of food in a 2 hour period; 2) a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.
• Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain- such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diuretics, other medications; fasting or excessive exercise.
• Binge eating and compensatory behaviors occur on average, at least 2x per week for 2 months.
• Self evaluation is unduly influenced by body weight and shape.
• This disturbance does not occur during episodes of anorexia.

There are 2 subtypes of bulimia: Purging type and Nonpurging Type (fasting or excessive exercise) Over-exercise is becoming increasingly common as a form of purging. Some signs include:

• • Forced exercise when not feeling well.
  • Preferring to exercise instead of being with friends or family.
  • Becoming upset if a workout is missed.
  • Exercise with an injury.
  • Basing the amount of time to exercise on how much has been eaten that day.
  • When exercise is the most important part of the day.
  • Obsess or have anxiety on days without exercise.

Eating Disorder NOS:

• This is for someone who meets some of the criteria for either Anoerxia or Bulimia, but not all. Also this includes: Binge Eating Disorder and Atypical eating disorders
• It’s important to remember that Eating Disorders are NOT ABOUT FOOD. Instead, Eating disorders serve as way of coping with negative, difficult emotions and expression of these emotions. When someone is engaged in eating disorder behaviors its their way of expressing where they are psychologically. For example: Some may use their eating disorder behaviors as a way of self-soothing or comfort; a way of distracting; seeking attention or asking for help; expressing anger or sadness; avoidance of intimacy; self-punishment. At the core of most eating disorders, individuals experience a low self-esteem; perfectionism; need for control and power; difficulty in expressing feelings & emotions; need to escape and search of safety; difficulty coping and lack of how to cope; fear of failure or letting others down.

Prevalence: (According to ANAD- The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

• Anorexia occurs in about 1-3.7% of the female population in their lifetime.
• Bulimia occurs in about 1-4.2% of the female population
• Binge eating disorder is estimated at up to 5% percent of the population
• Subclinical eating disorders can be estimated at up to 13% of the general population.
• An estimated 11 percent of all college students are suffering from an eating disorder, and an ANAD study found that 86% reported an onset of their illness by age 20. Men:
  • An estimated 5-15 % of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
  • An estimated 35 percent of those with binge eating disorder are male.

Treatment offered at BGC: We offer a wide range of treatments, as we follow a multidisciplinary model. This treatment includes: Individual therapy; Group therapy (General Eating Disorders and Binge Eating Disorder focus); Family/Couples therapy; Nutritional Counseling; Medication monitoring services- including blind weigh ins and vitals taken each week; Coordination of care with primary care physician.

• In individual therapy, we follow a specific program to help our clients:
  • Reduce body image disturbances
  • Reduce disordered eating patterns, behaviors and rituals related to food.
  • Reduce mood and anxiety problems by increasing their ability to cope.
  • Increase tolerance to uncomfortable feelings/experiences/sensations.
  • Improve physical self care.
  • Improve social functioning- increase willingness to obtain positive support.
  • Increase ability to practice assertiveness by learning effective communication strategies.
  • Improve overall view of self- increase understanding of personal values and encourage clients to make efforts to live life and make decisions in accordance with their personal values.
• Our group therapy program currently offers two groups. Eating Disorders/ Body Image Group & Binge Eating Group
  • We are excited to also offer, a new Multi-family eating disorders group – in which family/friends can attend the group with their loved one who is in treatment and working towards recovery.
  • We also have established a connection with ANAD, or the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and we will be offering a FREE support group for those with an eating disorder beginning this fall. The group will meet the first Thursday of every month at 7:00pm beginning in September at BGC (12 Health Services Drive in DeKalb.

If you know someone who you think might have an eating disorder: It is important that you share your concern with your friend or family member. Let them know what specifically is concerning you. Be honest and straightforward, and make sure you are not accusing them of doing something ‘wrong’. Look into possible treatment options so you can provide them with the information and offer to help them make that first phone call or appointment with a professional. Most often, people are fearful to get help especially if they feel alone. The sooner an eating disorder is recognized, the easier it is to treat. When you confront someone with an eating disorder, you begin to break down the walls of denial and secrecy and allow the person to accept help.