Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program Outcome Study 2005-2006

Recovery from an eating disorder is complicated because it involves biological, psychological, spiritual, and social processes. At Summit we consider a variety of indicators when examining one's progress toward recovery including;

• Physical health
• Psychological wellbeing
• Self-concept
• Emotional expression
• Ability to develop supportive relationships
• Family support
• Ability to alter eating disorder behavior and develop more constructive ways of responding to psychosocial stress

With respect to one's ability to alter eating disorder behavior and develop more constructive ways of responding to psychological stresses, we measure changes in behavior from admission to discharge. With patients suffering from Bulimia Nervosa we measure bingeing and purging behavior. With patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa we measure caloric intake and ideal body weight. Below are the results of our outcome study for the years 2005-2006 for patients who successfully completed the Intensive Outpatient Program.

These results indicate that patients who successfully complete our Intensive Outpatient Program or who participate in our Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization Program engage in their eating disorder behaviors much less at discharge. This, obviously, is one of our primary goals in addition to helping patients develop more constructive ways of managing life stresses and restoring physical health.

If you have questions about our outcome study or what the numbers mean, please contact Tony Paulson, Ph.D., Clinical Director at (916) 920-5276 ext 13 or email drpaulson@sedop.org.