Develop a Comprehensive Treatment Standard for Veterans with Eating Disorders

I am Service Connected for Anorexia Nervosa, meaning I have required major hospital care at least 6 weeks per year. This could be prevented if VA providers had proper training in Eating Disorders. Many believe that EDs aren't a disease, but merely a bad habit or lifestyle choice. To the contrary, EDs resemble other addictions, often requiring intensive specialty care. There is no programming in the entire VA for treating EDs. More than 11 million Americans suffer from EDs, which affect every organ system and cause cognitive impairment, osteoporosis, infertility, heart failure, and death. Untreated, AN has the highest death rate of all mental disorders. The VA would save thousands of dollars in compensation and medical care over a lifetime if vets were able to receive this specialty care.