Remuda Ranch Eating Disorder Treatment OutcomesEffective Treatment...Proven Treatment
Ten million women and girls in the United States suffer from eating disorders and more people die from anorexia each year than from any other mental illness. Fortunately, for those individuals and families affected by eating disorders, help is available and recovery is possible. At Remuda Ranch our mission is to provide Biblically-based and scientifically-valid treatment for women and girls of all faiths. Our goal is to give them the tools and skills needed to live healthy and productive lives where food and weight are no longer the dominant issue. Remuda continually monitors the effectiveness of our programs through clinical outcomes. Our outcomes make clear that recovery is possible.
Recovery RatesRecovery does not mean a woman or girl will never struggle with food-related issues again, but it does indicate great improvement. An individual is considered in recovery when she no longer has a diagnosable eating disorder, her personal relationships have improved and she is functioning more effectively at work or in school. Upon Leaving TreatmentOur patients report dramatic improvement in eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, spiritual distress, and other issues by the time they leave Remuda. For example, standardized measurements reveal that the "average" patient has a severe eating disorder and moderate to severe depression upon admission. But by discharge, her responses are the same measurements are similar to those of someone who has never had an eating disorder and is not depressed. One Year After TreatmentOur recovery rates are as positive one year out of treatment as they are upon discharge. Of the thousands who responded to questionnaires one year after leaving Remuda, the following no longer met the diagnostic criteria for their illness: 99% of adults with anorexia; 93% of adults with bulimia; 99% of adolescents with anorexia; 94% of adolescents with bulimia. In similar questionnaires, parents of former patients independently supported and validated the excellent recovery indicated by their daughters. Long TermRemuda strongly encourages all patients to continue in outpatient treatment for several years after inpatient treatment. We believe this helps keep our long-term recovery rates high. One year after discharge, 75% of both adults and adolescents report they participate in outpatient treatment; in turn, a full 98% of patients no longer met diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder 6-10 years later. Satisfaction with Remuda's Programs
Patient satisfaction is key to the success of any program. When patients leave our care, 98% of adults and 93% of adolescents believe Remuda was beneficial in their recovery. One year later, 97% of adults, 95% of adolescents, and 95% of parents of adolescents report that Remuda was beneficial in the patients' eating disorder recovery. This high level of patient satisfaction continues through 6-10 years. These extremely high rates of sustained customer satisfaction reflect the unparalleled success of Remuda's programs. Improved LivesOur goal for all patients is two-fold. We want to eliminate the eating disorder from their lives and help them deal effectively with any co-occurring disorders. But we also want more. We want every woman, adolescent and child to leave Remuda with a new positive outlook on life; to feel good about today and have hope for tomorrow. We measure our success by evaluating such areas as work and relationships. Work/School/Relationships
While about ½ of our patients reported that their eating disorder was significantly impairing their ability to function at work and/or school at the time of their admission to Remuda, only 8% of adult patients and 13% of adolescent patients reported difficulties at work or school one-year after leaving treatment. The number drops to only 4% in the following 6-10 years. Spirituality
Readmission RatesApproximately one-third of patients treated at other eating disorder facilities are re-hospitalized during the first year following treatment. Remuda's readmission rates are significantly lower with only 11% of adult patients and 14% of adolescent patients reporting additional hospitalization for their eating disorder during the year following treatment. Success of patients who have had previous inpatient treatmentMany patients who come to Remuda have completed previous inpatient/residential eating disorder treatment, but have not achieved recovery through this treatment. Data analyses reveal that our program is successful with these patients. Those who had undergone previous treatment report equally high rates of recovery from their eating disorder both upon completion of the Remuda Program as well as one year later. Co-Occurring IssuesNearly all patients come to Remuda with co-occurring problems such as anxiety, trauma or substance abuse. Because we treat the whole person and offer specialized therapies to address these disorders, patients report dramatic improvement in all areas by the time they complete treatment. Adolescent patients with alcohol, substance abuse or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnoses at admission experience the same positive outcomes one year after treatment as those adolescents without these extra diagnoses. Similarly, adult patients with greater acuity, including Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnoses also experience the same outcomes as adults without those issues.
Weight RestorationWeight restoration is an important barometer of treatment effectiveness. At admission, adult patients are at 76% of ideal body weight; adolescents are at 80% and children at 81%. Upon leaving treatment, these percentages have shown great improvement with adults at 88% of ideal body weight; adolescents at 96% and children at 99%. Former patients continue to improve with adults at 91% and adolescents at 100% of ideal body weight one year later. Anorexia and bulimia compromise the health and threaten the lives of millions of women and girls throughout our country. Yet, as our outcomes indicate, recovery is possible. Equally important, it's possible for everyone, since women and girls of all faiths are getting better every day through the excellent treatment provided at Remuda Ranch.
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One year after completing treatment, 92% of former adult patients describe their functioning at work and/or school to be "good" or "excellent." In addition, 87% report improvements in their relationships with family and/or friends. With adolescents 87% describe their functioning at school to be "good" or "Excellent;" while 90% report improvements in their relationships with family and/or friends. These results are outstanding.
As a Christian organization, Remuda recognizes spiritual growth is an important part of recovery. Not only do patients report they grow closer to God while in treatment, but one year later, 88% of adults and 80% of adolescents feel Remuda was a positive influence on their spiritual growth. Remuda's focus on spirituality helps patients of all faiths. Our patients who are not of the Christian faith have equal recovery rates to our Christian patients.
Both adults and adolescents often suffer form moderate to severe depression at the time of admission. As the graph indicates, this depression improves dramatically during treatment.
Edward J. Cumella, Ph.D., is Executive Director of Performance Management and oversees the outcome studies conducted at Remuda Ranch. Dr. Cumella has been a practitioner in the mental health field for over 20 years, and has specialized in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders for over 10 years. Dr. Cumella has advanced training in healthcare research from the Harvard School of Public Health. He has been publishing scientific studies in peer-reviewed health journals for over 20 years, focusing on assessment and outcomes research.