What is eating disorder clinic Switzerland?
Eating disorder treatment in Switzerland combines medical stabilisation, individual nutrition therapy and intensive psychotherapy for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, often in a one-client setting.
Eating disorders frequently co-occur with substance use. Swiss clinics that treat both in one programme are therefore particularly useful.
Eating disorders explained. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses involving disturbed eating behaviour and body image, with significant medical risks. People with anorexia nervosa have a standardised mortality ratio of 5.86, the highest among eating disorders (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011). Even after inpatient treatment for anorexia, mortality risk remains more than five times higher than in people without an eating disorder (Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 2020).
Key figures
- A nationally representative Swiss study found a lifetime prevalence of 3.5% for any eating disorder (Psychological Medicine, 2016).
- Among Swiss women, lifetime prevalence was 1.2% for anorexia, 2.4% for bulimia and 2.4% for binge eating disorder (Psychological Medicine, 2016).
- Only 49.4% of men and 67.9% of women in Switzerland who had met criteria for an eating disorder had ever sought professional help (Psychological Medicine, 2016).
- A review of 94 studies found weighted mean lifetime eating disorder prevalence of 8.4% in women and 2.2% in men (AJCN, 2019).
“One in 5 individuals with AN who died had committed suicide.”
Common signs
- Extreme dieting or weight change
- Binge eating or purging
- Preoccupation with weight and body shape
- Excessive exercise
- Secrecy around food
Who it is for
- Adults with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder
- Clients with an eating disorder plus substance use
- Public figures who need complete privacy
Best clinics for eating disorder clinic Switzerland
These 4 licensed Swiss clinics run dedicated programmes for eating disorders. Formats range from one-client-at-a-time residences to specialist clinical centres. Not sure how to compare them? Read how to choose a rehab clinic.
