Eating Disorders Program

Over eight million adolescents and adults in the United States are affected by eating disorders, often undiagnosed due to hidden symptoms. Without proper care, this treatable disease can be fatal. Endeavor Health/Linden Oaks Behavioral Health in the Chicago area is renowned for its comprehensive eating disorder services, led by a specialized team of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and dietitians offering the latest techniques for those struggling with eating disorders.

Common conditions treated

  • Anorexia nervosa: the restriction of food resulting in severe weight loss. Anorexia can be diagnosed at any body size, but typically results in low body mass index. Even so, people diagnosed with anorexia see themselves as overweight.
  • Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a feeding disturbance due to a lack of interest in food or avoidance of the sensory characteristics of food as manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional needs.
  • Bulimia nervosa: a cycle of eating unusually large amounts of food followed by purging behavior. The behavior is usually done secretly and is accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame. 
  • Orthorexia: while not an official diagnosis, this disorder is characterized by extreme rigidity around food and eating patterns in the name of “health.” This often leads to difficulties eating around others, enjoying social gatherings, and anxiety related to eating “unapproved” foods. 
 

Ages treated

  • 11 (in 6th grade) and older

Levels of treatment offered

Treatment approach and techniques

Treatment includes group therapy, individual therapy, medication management, nutritional support, and family/social support to meet the physical and psychological needs of patients with eating disorders.

  • Program philosophy: Providing highly individualized treatment that focuses on the impact of mood and eating behavior, improving dietary patterns and body image, and reducing the use of inappropriate eating and compensatory behaviors. Creating a lifestyle of wellness is the foundation of treatment in which healthy living activities include sleep hygiene, joyful movement, improving social supports and increasing engagement in daily activities.
  • Nutrition philosophy: To heal, repair, and improve the relationship between food and the body by establishing the foundation of functioning.  Our goal is to provide a safe space for increasing nutrition and to reduce the use of eating disorder behaviors, while engaging in therapeutic interventions, skills, and support.

Treatment hours (dependent on your level of care)

  • Inpatient: 24/7 around the clock care
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): 6 hours a day, 5 days a week 
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
  • Counseling/medication management: By appointment (daytime, nighttime and weekend hours)

Outcome measures and/or patient quotes/success stories

Patients who attend the Eating Disorder Program at Linden Oaks see a 20-50% reduction in eating disorder symptoms as measured by the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (EDE-Q, © Fairburn and Beglin, 2008).

Linden Oaks locations