Patients at Remuda East enjoy equine therapy, and hold 'rodeos' for family members halfway through their stays. COURTESY OF REMUDA RANCH View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Remuda Ranch reaches out to those with eating disorders

Date published: 1/29/2008

BY BRINKLEY SHARPE

Adolescents with anorexia or bulimia nervosa are faced with a dilemma that doesn't come up for their of-age counterparts.

Treatment for severe cases is often very intensive, and involves in patient stays to address both the physical and psychological problems properly.

Many larger hospitals have eating-disorder units--or at least psychiatric wards. But these cold and uninviting environments, with their emphasis on punishment and behavioral modification, can fail to treat the underlying causes--and can even foster further ambivalence in the patient over the entire idea of recovery.

The Renfrew Center, a residential eating-disorder treatment facility, opened in 1985 in order to create a more positive alternative for women with eating disorders. But not everyone lives near the pioneering center's locations in Coconut Creek, Fla., and Philadelphia, Pa. And not every parent is willing and able to make lifestyle switches to accommodate their teen daughter's treatment.

Another treatment facility, Remuda Ranch, was founded by Ward Keller in 1990 as a way to use a Biblically-based treatment program he devised during his own daughter's struggle with anorexia.

Until recently, its only facility was in Wickenburg, Ariz. But this past fall, Remuda's new 48-bed "East" facility opened its doors in Caroline County.

Janet Carr, a dietician at Remuda, said the beautiful and peaceful surroundings--as well as the perceived need for a facility in the area--helped with the decision on where to locate.

Like the Renfrew Center, Remuda is designed specifically for women and girls.

Though they pride themselves on being a Christian facility, and weave such teachings into their program, there is no religious requirement for receiving treatment, and those who do not share Christian beliefs are not obligated to attend services or convert in any way. Carr said, though, that religion is "often where people find strength" and is a "source of identity"--something many women feel they lack, even after the eating disorder is "gone."

Ninety percent of those who have eating disorders are females between the ages of 12 and 25. --Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The Center for Mental Health Services, offices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Between 0.5 and 3.7 percent of women suffer from anorexia. Between 1.1 and 4.2 percent of women suffer from bulimia. --American Psychological Association Work Group on Eating Disorders About 20 percent of all people with eating disorders will eventually die as the result of their illness. In those who suffer from anorexia, the numbers may be even higher. --Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action Research shows that eating disorders are one of the psychological problems least likely to be treated. --APA, "Eating Disorders: Psychotherapy's Role in Effective Treatment," 1998 Two in five new cases of anorexia are in girls between 15 and 19 years of age. -- National Eating Disorders Association Formally diagnosed cases of eating disorders have been reported in children as young as 7. --Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Compiled by Brinkley Sharpe

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Date published: 1/29/2008