Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program Outcome Study

Biological, psychological and social factors contribute to the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. Recovery from eating disorders is complicated because all of the contributing factors must be addressed.

These disorders cause biological changes in the patient’s brain which contributes to the intensity of urges and difficulties stopping the eating disorder behavior. Consequently, the first step in the treatment process is to stop the progression of the disorder to minimize the biological drives to continue the behavior. Once that has been accomplished psychological and social factors contributing to the eating disorder can be addressed.

The initial focus of treatment at Summit is to stop the progression of the eating disorder. We do this by creating environments for patients that make engaging in the behavior less likely to occur. This is accomplished by active involvement of the patient’s family and support system.

Once control of the eating disorder has been established treatment focuses on the underlying psychological and social issues that may be contributing to the disorder. These issues may include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Negative self-concept
• Interpersonal struggles
• Difficulties expressing emotions

Results

The following results reflect patients who participated and completed treatment in our Intensive Outpatient Program and/or Day Treatment Program.

Intensive Outpatient Program
Patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa
	Admission	Discharge
Ideal Body Weight %	82.15%	92.13%*	N= 39
Average length of stay 37 days
Patients suffering from Bulimia Nervosa
	Admission	Discharge
Bingeing	9.80	.80*	N= 45
Purging	12.74	.49
Average length of stay 34 days

Day Treatment Program
Patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa
	Admission	Discharge
Ideal Body Weight %	81.20%	89.60%*	N= 23
Average length of stay 34 days
Patients suffering from Bulimia Nervosa
	Admission	Discharge
Bingeing	11.56	2.39*	N= 18
Purging	11.89	1.67*
Average length of stay 21 days
* Statistically significant results

These results indicate that patients who successfully complete our Intensive Outpatient or Day Treatment Programs engage in their eating disorder behavior significantly less at discharge.

Tony Paulson, Ph.D.
Executive Director