Fairwinds Treatment Center is one of the premiere dual diagnosis treatment centers in the nation, healing patients through therapeutic counseling as well as clinical treatment to address both physical symptoms and psychological triggers of drug addiction. Dr. M.K.(Khal) El-Yousef founded the center over 25 years ago in order to reach people suffering from addiction problems and eating disorders.
Dr. Pauline Powers is the head of the eating disorders program at Fairwinds, and has over 40 years of experience in the field. She is an internationally renowned researcher and educator in eating disorder treatment, and works to heal her patients in a holistic manner that encompasses mind, body and spirit.
Politicians and citizens of Missouri are currently entrenched in a debate over whether or not healthcare insurance should provide coverage for the treatment of eating disorders. Former state representative Rick Stream has been fighting for six years to change the state's insurance policy, which currently holds that coverage is granted when a patient reaches 80 percent of his or her's ideal body weight.
Critics of this policy argue that body weight is not an accurate indicator of a person's health, especially for those patients struggling with bulimia, who can often maintain a healthy weight even though they are suffering from an eating disorder with numerous other health consequences. Patients who experience eating disorders have a range of physical and psychological problems that need to be treated in full before they can pursue a healthy life.
"In reality, it's less expensive to follow these guidelines and provide comprehensive treatment than having people not receive treatment and end up in a hospital," one Missouri doctor told St. Louis Today.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, contact Fairwinds today to find out what treatment is available so you can begin the healing process.
