Taking time off from work to seek treatment for an eating disorder is not easy for everyone to do. The flexibility of your work schedule to accommodate this will depend on your employer and their policies supporting mental health care. Some workplaces fully support their employees with options to take time off to care for themselves. However, if they don’t, then you will have to find other ways to get time off, such as family medical leave (FMLA) or vacation days saved. Whatever option you are able to take advantage of is worth it. Our eating disorder treatment centers will help you manage your life to make the most of your time in treatment. To learn more about the services available, please contact Crossroads today at 877.978.1667.
Managing Work with an Eating Disorder
There’s no need to put added pressure on yourself to get the eating disorder treatment you need, all while keeping your career on track and your job in place. Instead, being open and honest and having a plan will help things go smoothly as you make this transition to take time off and focus on getting the proper treatment.
Disclosure
It is up to you how much to disclose to your employer why you are taking time off. Consult your employee handbook, meet with your human resources department, or even take advantage of a company confidential helpline to help guide you in how you want to handle your leave. If you do let your employer know why you are taking leave, educate them on what eating disorder treatment and recovery look like. Showing them the options, the benefits, and the how and why your personal decision can go a long way. It can be crucial for establishing your value and importance as an employee too.
Transition
Regardless of whether you disclose the reason for your absence or not, letting your employer know you have a plan will make the transition easier for everyone. Your plan should include what the transition out of the workplace will look like and the transition when you come back after treatment. Outline the timeframe, what work needs to be covered in your absence, how you can contribute while you are away, and the benefits once you return. When you show that you care about your job and your well-being, it will only make them more supportive of your decision.
Don’t Delay Treatment
Finding a treatment center and committing to treatment is equally as important as deciding to seek treatment. Add in the fact that not every employer will support taking time off work for treatment, and it’s easy to understand why some people don’t get the treatment they need.
The bottom line is that if you need treatment, get it. Learn your legal rights to care for mental health conditions like an eating disorder. You should also know what your options are for inpatient, outpatient, and self-help care. Do not ignore the problem or hope it will just go away because it won’t. Advocate for what you need and get support through an eating disorder treatment center like Crossroads.
Contact Crossroads About Women’s Eating Disorder Treatment
Crossroads provides an engaging, therapeutic, and comfortable environment for women. It’s a home away from home. Our team makes the well-being of every woman a priority. Eating disorder treatment programs are tailored to fit each person’s unique challenges and needs. We provide treatment for women by women. We feel this approach offers the right environment to grow, heal, and build the strategies and skills needed for lifelong recovery.
Our evidence-based treatment modalities include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
Learn more today by calling our team at 877.978.1667.
