Aiding Body Issues Rio Rancho Institute Helps Patients Eat Properly
Eating is one of life’s basic needs, but for some people it is the source of daily anxiety. The Eating Disorders Institute of New Mexico at 2200 Grande, near Haynes Park, offers a range of treatment programs for potentially life-threatening conditions characterized by insufficient or excessive food intake, which affect men and women of all backgrounds and ages, including teens.
The Rio Rancho-based Institute began offering programs for adults in 2010 and, responding to demand, recently expanded its services to include treatment for adolescents.
A common chronic illness among teens is anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that leads to severe weight loss. It can affect growth patterns, school performance and family life. Risk factors stem from dissatisfaction with body shape and a belief that being thin is the ideal. Warning signs include marked weight loss or gain over a short time period, increased dieting, social withdrawal from food-related activities and frequent bathroom visits after eating, said Clinical Director Dr. Brenda Wolfe, a clinical psychologist.
Programs the Institute offers teens include individual and group therapy on an outpatient basis and provides support interaction with the individual’s family and physicians.
“We are committed to providing only sound, proven treatment, and so building the program was not something that could be done overnight,” Wolfe said.
Treatments include an after-school intensive outpatient program from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, during which teens meet in small groups with Director of Adolescent Programs Dr. Monika Peterson to discuss individual needs and learn from interacting with others. Each session includes time to eat an evening meal together.
“Learning to enjoy that very human activity is a critical piece of the treatment,” Wolfe said.
Adolescent participants must be 14 years or older and not be actively abusing drugs or alcohol. Parents must be willing to attend a minimum of one parent meeting per month with their teen.