Understanding When Inpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders is Right for You

Female Nurse Offering Counselling to young woman.

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

For those who are struggling with an eating disorder, there are many resources and help for treatment, including several different levels of care for intervention. Depending on the severity of the eating disorder, treatment levels will range from most acute to least intensive. Inpatient treatment is typically reserved for individuals requiring immediate help, medical interventions for stabilization and around the clock supervision.

Learning What is Involved with Inpatient Care for Eating Disorder Treatment

Inpatient care for eating disorders is usually provided within a hospital setting. Some hospitals may have a specialized unit for behavioral issues or eating disorders, but this largely depends on the facility and location. Inpatient hospitalization is required for patients who are psychiatrically and medically compromised. While the stay within an inpatient facility for eating disorder treatment will be shorter compared to the other phases of treatment, it is usually the most intense.

Illustration of young woman contemplating treatment.A person who is dealing with an eating disorder, such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, may require inpatient treatment and intervention for medical reasons, such as unstable vitals, compromised heart issues, electrolyte imbalances, and any other medical abnormalities related to co-occurring conditions, such as diabetes. Psychiatric issues that may warrant inpatient treatment for eating disorder may include suicidal ideation and intent, self-harm, or for any reason a person may be endangering their own life or the lives of others.

Medical staff will work as quickly as possible to help a person stabilize from acute medical and psychiatric issues. Interventions may involve a combination, nutritional supplements and more. In severe cases of starvation and malnourishment, an individual may require temporary feeding assistance with a feeding tube or nutrition support.

Seeking Appropriate Care With Professional Intervention

Inpatient treatment for an eating disorder can be both scary and overwhelming, both the individual seeking treatment and for loved ones involved. It is important to remember that in situations where health has been severely compromised by an eating disorder, the interventions provided by inpatient care can be life saving. If you are experiencing a health or psychiatric crisis related to an eating disorder, be sure to visit your local emergency room as soon as possible for help and assistance.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are the some situations in which inpatient treatment for eating disorders is warranted?


Crystal Headshot 2About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 28, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com