Private treatment clinic for disordered eating
Addressing both the behavioural and psychological elements of disordered eating, our intensive and comprehensive treatment employs advanced, evidence-based strategies. Through personalised therapeutic interventions and continuous support, we provide luxury-level care to help you develop a healthier relationship with food, promoting a more harmonious and liberated lifestyle.
Exclusive rehab in a real-world environment for best results
Our clinic is internationally renowned for its expertise in treating disordered eating, using evidence-based methods and providing continuous support. Our immersive setting in a hotel creates a realistic environment that helps you navigate the daily challenges you will encounter after rehab. By exposing you to everyday scenarios, all under the careful guidance of our experienced medical and clinical team, our unique approach significantly reduces the risk of relapse, fostering long-term recovery and stability.
Perhaps uniquely among mental illnesses, disordered eating and – more severly: eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, ARFI, rumination syndrome, and binge eating – can have incredibly dangerous consequences for both physical and psychological health. It therefore is crucial to treat them in a medicalised environment. Partnering with the best hospitals of Switzerland, our licensed clinical facility offers close monitoring to encourage weight stabilisation, address any somatic issues, and facilitate long-term recovery.
Arrange an Consultation
Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step towards recovery with NEOVIVA.
Why choose NEOVIVA for help with disordered eating?
Through personalised therapeutic interventions and close support, we help you build a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle free from the constraints of disordered eating behaviours. You and your family can rest assured that you are receiving the highest quality care in a safe, luxurious, and private setting, surrounded by pristine lake and mountain view:
- Individualised Treatment Plans – Your treatment addresses your specific needs, ensuring focused and effective private care.
- Innovative Therapies & Evidence-Based Practices – By employing the latest science-backed methods and innovative therapies like rTMS, we support sustained recovery.
- Comprehensive Relapse Prevention – We provide you with strategies and tools to manage triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Serene Healing Setting – Our picturesque environment provides a tranquil backdrop that enhances the recovery process.
- Premium Accommodation – Our lakeview suites provide a perfect blend of comfort and privacy, with high-end amenities that rival those of the finest luxury resorts.
- Meaningful Activities – Engaging in activities like guided nature walks, mindfulness sessions, and Shinrin Yoku helps you connect with your environment and reflect.
- Comprehensive Recovery Approach – A multidisciplinary team offers long-lasting care, addressing all physical, mental, and emotional elements of recovery.
Our Specialists for Disordered Eating Treatment
Meet the key members of staff who will help you on your journey to recovery.
Mohammed Shafiullah
Clinical Psychologist
Mohammed’s journey into the world of psychology and psychotherapy is marked by a blend of purposeful academic pursuit and a deeply rooted commitment to holistic patient care.
Shelley Heusser
Psychotherapist
An integral part of the NEOVIVA family, the Swiss-South African psychotherapist weaves professional expertise with a warm, personal touch.
NEOVIVA’s approach to treating eating disorders
Disordered eating is a serious problem that can affect your mental and physical health. However, with proper medical care and mental health counseling, you can return to healthier eating habits and learn healthier ways to think about food and your body, while untreated, this behaviour can harm your physical health and may lead to life-threatening problems.
Partnering closely with renowned hospitals
While at NEOVIVA, we specialise in addressing the mental health aspects of disordered eating, we acknowledge the importance of acute medical attention. In cases of severe health threats, we collaborate with specialised clinics where you will receive medical care before before coming to our treatment to additionally addressing the underlying issues of your condition. Your treatment programme will be complemented by expert guidance on essential aspects like food management, weight monitoring, and nutrition. This integrated approach enables us to effectively focus on the root causes of disordered eating and eating disorders.
At NEOVIVA, we define four general stages in eating disorder treatment:
1. Initial Consultation
Conducting a thorough clinical assessment is a vital aspect of the healing process. In disordered eating and eating disorders, number of problems tend to prevent people from seeking effective early intervention. Ambivalence towards treatment, a fear of disclosure to others and of being labeled as having a disorder, or anxiety about changing eating patterns are adding to the reluctance of those suffering from eating disorders to fully acknowledge their severe health condition. It is imperative to identify and address any co-occurring mental health disorders simultaneously with the eating disorder.
2. Supervised Medical Care
Hospitalisation at one of our partner clinics may be necessary if your physical health needs immediate attention or if you have anorexia and are unable to eat or gain weight. Severe or life-threatening physical health problems that occur with anorexia can be a medical emergency. In many cases, the most important goal of hospitalisation is to stabilise acute medical symptoms through beginning the process of normalizing eating and weight. The majority of eating and weight restoration takes place in this outpatient setting.
3. Treatment
During your treatment at NEOVIVA, we will support you in various ways, including help you normalise your eating patterns, replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones, learn mood monitoring techniques, and explore constructive ways to handle stress. Your treatment will encompass a range of therapies, including group and individual sessions, family-based therapy (especially for underage clients), nutrition counselling, psychoeducation, and creative expression. Moreover, our holistic approach incorporates mindfulness training through addiction and recovery educational groups, alongside body-focused techniques for regulating the nervous system. Backed by a thorough medical and physical assessment, your treatment may be augmented by state-of-the-art methods, such as rTMS, designed to alleviate compulsive behaviour and enhance mood.
4. Continuing Care
As we emphasise the significance of long-term support, we encourage further progress upon returning home by providing a comprehensive Continuing Care programme after you complete your treatment at NEOVIVA.
Frequently Asked Questions
About
Disordered Eating
What is disordered eating?
Disordered eating is like walking a fine line between normal eating habits and clinically diagnosed eating disorders. While it encompasses a range of symptoms and behaviours associated with eating disorders, it manifests less frequently or with reduced intensity. Common forms of disordered eating include skipping meals, cutting out entire food groups, or sticking to rigid or irregular eating schedules, with dieting being particularly prevalent. Additionally, disordered eating involves patterns like fasting, binge eating, and even using laxatives, steroids, or diet pills in ways they weren’t meant to be used.
Now I know about disordered eating – but what are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious, complex mental and physical health conditions associated with extreme changes to your relationship with food and eating behaviour. Among the most prevalent eating disorders, which profoundly impact physical, psychological, and social well-being, are:
- Anorexia nervosa is characterised by self-starvation leading to significant weight loss, typically indicated by a body mass index below 18.5 for adults.
- Bulimia nervosa is marked by recurring episodes of consuming excessive amounts of food (bingeing), where the individual experiences a loss of control over eating. Subsequently, various methods like vomiting or laxatives (purging) are employed to avoid weight gain. The binge eating episodes can occur multiple times daily over extended periods, usually in secrecy.
- Binge eating entails consuming a large amount of food within a short period of time, accompanied by a feeling of losing control over what and how much is consumed.
- Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterised by extreme picky eating and resulting persistent failure to meet nutritional needs, and can stem from a) low appetite and disinterest in food, b) an aversion to sensory aspects of food such as texture, appearance, colour, or smell, or c) concerns about potential consequences like choking, nausea, or allergic reactions.
- Pica triggers intense cravings for non-food items like hair, paper, soap, cloth, chalk, clay, or coal. This behaviour persists for at least one month and warrants clinical attention due to its severity.
- Rumination syndrome involves the repetitive regurgitation of undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, followed by repeated re-chewing, then either re-swallowing or spitting it out.
Why is disordered eating a problem? What are the health risks?
Let’s get one thing straight: eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice—they are severe health challenges that demand attention and care. When we start cutting back on food, our bodies react in ways we might not expect. For example, eating less can slow down our metabolism. This is our body’s attempt to conserve energy, but it can backfire, leading us to overeat or binge eat down the line. Moreover, the road of dieting is often accompanied by unwelcome co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety.
The ripple effects of disordered eating can touch every aspect of life, making stress harder to manage and stirring up feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of failure. These feelings can spike particularly after overeating or when a diet doesn’t go as planned. This fear of judgment can push people into isolation, avoiding social gatherings, especially those involving food, which only fuels loneliness, lowers self-esteem, and encourages social withdrawal.
Without effective treatment, eating disorders can lead to long-term medical complications and, in certain instances, cause death. Eating disorders, anorexia nervosa in particular, rank as the second most lethal psychiatric disorder, surpassed only by opioid use disorder. Severe calorie restriction, purging, or excessive exercise can significantly impact overall health, resulting in numerous health complications, including:
- Arrhythmia, heart failure and other heart problems
- Acid reflux
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Low blood pressure
- Organ failure & brain damage
- Osteoporosis & tooth damage
- Severe dehydration & constipation
- Stopped menstrual cycles & infertility.
- Stroke
About
Treatment
When should I call the doctor?
We strongly advise you to seek professional support if you, or someone you care for, have an eating disorder and experience any of the following:
- Your relationship with food is causing you distress and is interfering with your everyday activities and social life.
- You have chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations.
- You feel dizzy or experience fainting episodes.
- You have a sore throat or acid reflux.
- Your speech is slurred or your vision is blurred.
- Please note that if someone is severely underweight, dehydrated, or malnourished, they may need emergency help.
One of my close friends has an eating disorder but won't get help. What can I do?
First, your friend is fortunate to have your support. Itis important to understand that you cannot force someone into treatment unless they are ready. However, you can express your concerns in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. Sit down with your friend and gently mention that you have noticed changes in their eating habits and that you’re worried about them.
Approaching the conversation with empathy is crucial. Your friend might react defensively, possibly even accusing you of being jealous or trying to sabotage them. This can be hard to hear, but try not to take it personally. People struggling with eating disorders often have poor self-esteem and distorted body images, which can cause them to lash out.
If your friend reacts negatively, calmly reiterate that your concern comes from a place of care and that you are there to support them. Make sure they know you are available if they decide they want help. If your friend is open to seeking help, encourage them to contact their primary care physician for referrals to a dietitian and a mental health professional.
If your friend is a child or teenager, it is vital to inform their parents or guardians about your concerns so they can intervene. Additionally, consider talking to a family member, teacher, or counsellor about your worries. This can provide you with support and ensure you are not handling this situation alone.
How long does it take to recover from disordered eating or an eating disorder?
It is important to understand that recovery is a lifelong marathon, not a short sprint. You may experience long periods of stable recovery, require varying degrees of professional support, and face the possibility of relapses. Recovery is not a linear process but involves ups and downs, with each phase contributing to greater knowledge, resilience, and the tools necessary for achieving full freedom.
Being patient with yourself and supportive of your loved ones throughout this ongoing journey is crucial. Always remember that setbacks are a natural part of the process, and every step, whether forward or backward, plays a key role in overall recovery.