These centers are gaining in popularity as doctors find that residential treatment of eating disorders is more effective than prolonged hospital stays. According to Statistics Canada, 1.5 percent of British Columbians age 15 and older (approximately 500,000 people) are at risk annually for developing an eating disorder.
"Beau Côté", meaning "beautiful dimensions", offers a cozy, home-like environment, and a holistic approach to treating eating disorders. The program strives to care for patients as whole people, not just physically, taking into account mind, body, emotions, and spirituality. Hospital officials concur that centers like Beau Côté are better able to handle the complexities of eating disorders. Dr. Laird Birmingham, medical director for the Beau Côté and the head of the eating disorders program at St. Paul's hospital comments:
"About 80 per cent of people that have been in St. Paul's Hospital not only have an eating disorder but have another condition, whether it's depression, bipolar affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or a personality disorder. The public facilities are not able to provide treatment for both," he says.
(Source: www.canada.com)
Posted By: jgarcia