The treatment of eating disorders requires intensive evaluation of every facet of a woman's life. It is sometimes common for treatment to include dual diagnosis, such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Some cases may involve addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Dealing with Dual Diagnosis

Sometimes a woman may need treatment for bulimia, anorexia, or compulsive eating and also could be coping with a “dual diagnosis” like:

  • Depressive disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression
  • Anxieties such as panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Other mental health disorders like personality disorders and schizophrenia. 

Some signs that a dual diagnosis may exist include mood swings, relapses, and a pattern of replacing one addiction, such as shopping addiction, with another one, like sexual addiction.

The Victorian has a team of psychiatrists, therapists, and doctors that can accurately evaluate and monitor those that could have dual diagnoses.  The following is a list of the types of therapy that could be included in an individual’s personalized treatment program:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
  • Experiential Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Various personalized 12-step support groups customized to individual issues
  • The Victorian’s Family Program overseen by Dr. Jerry Brown and Dr. Kevin McCauley
     

Issues Related to Addiction

 

Eating disorders oftentimes surface at the same time as an addiction.  There is a symbiotic relationship between the two.  It is vital to attack both simultaneously and The Victorian excels at dual diagnosis.

Our treatment center strives to ensure comfort and security for women in a peaceful home environment.  We will provide care when working with each woman to address both behaviors they have.

The Victorian differs from other eating disorder facilities.  Unlike most others out there, we are licensed and approved by the state of California to treat eating disorders in addition to treating addictions.  For more information on our approach to treatment of dual diagnosis, see our page about co-occurring addiction.