Standing as the first hospitalization program in New York for the treatment of eating disorders, Avalon Centers has been treating patients with programs since 1998. Avalon engages a group of highly skilled professions who are experts in treating patients diagnosed with Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorders and Obesity. The facility offers a supportive, home like setting where patients work closely with Avalon clinicians, nutritionists, nurses, and psychiatrists to meet their unique mental health, emotional, nutritional, medical, and psychological needs. Avalon has become known for helping patients who suffer particularly from anorexia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder identified by an obsession for thinness, generally sought through self-starvation. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) noted that in a study of senior students in 20 high schools in 18 states, it was found that eleven percent of young people surveyed suffer from either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. This study claimed that while the majority was female, a significant number were males. Anorexia, although more commonly known to effect young women, can just as easily effect men and women of any age. Psychiatrists diagnose anorexia nervosa when a patient weighs at least 15 percent less than expected. Marked by excessive dieting and obsessive weight inhibitions, Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by severe and persistent weight loss, a distorted body image and intense fear of becoming fat. For women, this diagnostic criterion also includes cessation of the menstrual cycle. Denial of the seriousness of the disorder is often known to be a primary barrier to treatment. Each year millions of people in the US are affected by anorexia nervosa. While many people are aware of the physical side of anorexia, many fail to realize that effect it has on a person’s mental health. These issues range from clinical anxiety to depression to personality or substance abuse disorders. Avalon Centers declares that the most effective treatment for an eating disorder is a combination of interpersonal psychotherapy, nutrition counselling and psychopharmacology. Their approach involves individual treatments with the idea that "no two patients are alike." The Avalon hospitalization program is a four to six week, Monday through Friday, program, in which patients meet for seven and one half hours each day and participate in a variety of individual and group sessions, which address the specific needs of their eating disorders. Avalon provides each patient with a primary therapist to assess progress, provide support and offer one-on-one psychotherapy along with peer support. In addition to a daily process group, psycho-educational groups address issues such as self-esteem, body image, feelings management, assertiveness skill building, and relapse prevention. Moreover, therapeutic meals are part of each day and are developed with each patient by Avalon's nutrition therapist. Pre-meal and post-meal stress reduction and symptom management are an inclusive part of the program. Avalon Outpatient Counseling and Nutritional Services are located in their administrative offices in Clarence, NY. The program offers individual counselling sessions, individual nutritional consultation, and a variety of groups that utilize a holistic approach to treatment for patients with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and obesity. To learn more about anorexia nervosa and Avalon’s treatment facilities, visit Avalon-EatingDisorders.
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