Eating Disorders Program
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers medical treatment, evaluation and diagnosis for teens and adolescents who are struggling with eating disorders. Our program offers inpatient treatment for medical stabilization and outpatient evaluation and counseling.
There are several types of eating disorders, but they all involve abnormal eating behaviors. They can be life-threatening conditions. Children's Hospital is the first step on the road to restoring health and good nutrition.
The goal of Children's Hospital's eating disorders program is to:
- Stop your child from purging (vomiting, using laxatives, taking water pills or using enemas).
- Teach healthy eating behaviors.
- Help the family learn about the patient's eating disorder and nutritional needs.
- Restore a normal heart rate and blood pressure.
- Reverse malnutrition in a slow and steady way.
- Fix chemical imbalances, such as electrolytes, sodium, chloride, phosphorous and sugar. These are important chemicals in the blood that are necessary for your child's body to function in a healthy way.
- Restore normal bowel movements.
- Provide resources to help families cope with difficult issues that may arise when a child is struggling with an eating disorder.
- Help arrange follow-up treatment for the patient after his or her medical condition is stable.
Many specialists work together to meet the complex needs of each patient. The patient and his or her family are important members of the care team. Their input is valued and their full participation is necessary for success. The eating disorder care team also may include:
- Pediatricians.
- Adolescent medicine specialists.
- Psychiatrists.
- Other physicians, such as a heart specialist.
- Psychologists.
- Nurses.
- Patient care partners.
- Dietitians.
- Social workers.
- Child Life specialists.