Eating Disorders Program

Our Patients Say it Best...

Recovery from an eating disorder is a journey of self-discovery — and the ability to learn how to nurture yourself in a healthy way. The journey takes time and a personal commitment from the patient suffering from the eating disorder as well as her/his treatment team.

We asked some of our patients to share how they have grown and benefited from participating in the Eating Disorder Treatment Program at South Coast Medical Center.

Here's what they had to say:

"I am 42 years old and I have had eating disorders for 24 years. I have been in therapy at different stages of my disease. This program works. (It) saved my life. Our family is becoming more functional and loving... I am starting to become a real person and I am learning ways of coping. I am starting to have emotions that are appropriate. I am going to be 100%. Thanks to the program, I will be a good wife and mother with a career. And most important, I'm learning to love me."
— K.W. (Age 42, 2004)

"The honesty and openness of the psychotherapists have been very helpful as well as the other girls in the program. They tell you what you need to hear -- not what they think will make you feel better. It might be the brutal truth, but that's what it takes if you truly want to recover.

I have learned to take risks, challenge myself with food and go through being uncomfortable with increasing my caloric intake ... to ultimately gaining and getting to a healthy weight... I've learned that my eating disorder isn't about food! Ninety percent of the problem is your distorted thinking."
—L.L. (Age 36, 2002)

"This program was extremely beneficial towards my eating disorder recovery. With the help of the wonderful staff, I have learned to love myself and see the true beauty of life. Thanks for all the support."
—E.C. (Age 20, 2004)

"This program has been so much help. I was lost and now I feel like I am finally finding my way. The treatment team is amazing. They are so in tuned with each individual's needs."
—K.K. (Age 32, 2004)

This program is the best thing that ever happened to me and my family. It literally saved my life."
—S.D. (Age 27, 2004)

"The program has helped me so much. I feel like a new person and feel confident."
—C.M. (Age 37, 2004)

"The program gave me the foundation I needed to get better. It's not an instant fix, but if you really want to get better, the staff gives you the tools to apply new, healthier ways to live."
—D.R. (Age 29, 2000)

"I've learned a lot about my different behaviors that are self destructive…(program highlights)…are the therapy everyday, the good groups and the monitored meals."
—K.B. (Age 38, 2002)

"I would have to say that there are actually many areas of the recovery program that have helped me tremendously. The honesty and openness of the psychotherapists have been very helpful as well as the other girls in the program. They tell you what you need to hear — not what they think will make you feel better. It might be the brutal truth, but that's what it takes if you truly want to recover.

"I have learned to take risks, challenge myself with food and go through being uncomfortable with increasing my caloric intake … to ultimately gaining and getting to a healthy weight … I've learned that my eating disorder isn't about food! Ninety percent of the problem is your distorted thinking.

"…It may be the most difficult battle in your life to overcome, BUT YOU CAN. South Coast Medical Center's eating disorder program is very intense and the staff are extremely qualified and knowledgeable in what they are doing."
—L.L. (Age 36, 2002)

"It was helpful to feel and express emotions, rather than keep them inside…the people running the program are incredible and provide the extra support you need to recover."
—K.M. (Age 24, 2001)

"I learned I can recover and I'm not different. (Dietitian) Annie works great with your food and will help you learn how to eat normally. (Therapists) Sunny and Holly conduct intense psychotherapy groups that help transform your mind.

"I never thought I could eat normally without being fat. I'm experiencing life for the first time. Every (prior) treatment has failed except this one."
—Anonymous (Age 31, 2002)

"Yes, this program did help me… I enjoyed getting better."
—J.P. (Age 30, 2003)

"This program was great! It was very beneficial."
—K.T. (Age 24, 2003)

"Everyone on the staff was wonderful."
—G.S. (Age 39, 2003)

"I loved the outpatient program…The eating disorder program was wonderful."
—M.W. (Age 21, 2003)