Transition from hospital

Eating disorders may not be suitable for outpatient treatment at their most severe. This may be because motivation is low, physical health is too compromised for changes to be made without daily medical monitoring, anxiety may be too high to make changes without support, or the home environment may prohibit changes. In this case, inpatient treatment may be considered. Whilst The London Centre is not a hospital, and therefore does not offer a day-patient or inpatient program, we often work with people prior to, during, and after inpatient treatment. People often find the transition back to ‘normal life’ extremely hard, especially when inpatient treatment has been lengthy. They are used to regular support, have been protected from many ‘trigger situations’, and have had to live less independently whilst focussing on their recovery in hospital. Whilst most inpatient programs will recommend a gradual reduction in time spent in hospital to allow people to slowly transition, this may not always be possible, or further support may be required for longer than the inpatient program is able to offer.

Occupational therapy can be a really helpful support following inpatient or day-patient treatment. Specialist outpatient occupational therapy is not offered by many specialist eating disorder units.

Following a hospital stay, OT can support you with:

• Finding new daily occupations such as voluntary or paid work

• Assisting with returning to leisure activities or trying some new activities

• Assisting with returning to exercise in a balanced way (if medically appropriate)

• Preparation for independent living (shopping, cooking, social eating)

• Managing triggers to relapse

• Managing anxiety in new situations

• Graded exposure to avoided situations (socialising, dating, working)

• Maintaining recovery in the community