Residential Rumination Treatment in Beautiful Malaysia
Rumination Syndrome/Disorder in Children and Teenagers
Rumination Disorder is an Eating Disorder that is usually seen in Children and Adolescents.
Rumination Disorder is less common that other forms of Eating Disorder but is equally distressing for young people and families.
We are here to help
The Wave Eating Disorders Team can be contacted on:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Teen Eating Disorders
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01
What Is It and How Does It Work?
Treatment for Rumination
Rumination Syndrome is a condition where children and young people unintentionally vomit or regurgitate food very soon after eating. It is closely linked to high levels of anxiety in children and adolescents. It can persist into adulthood. Diagnosis requires rumination to happen for at least one month. Regurgitated food maybe spat out, re-chewed or re-swollwed. Children with rumination disorder do not appear stressed, disgusted or
Young people should always be evaluated by a specialist team. Physical complications should be assessed and ruled out by gastroenterologists.
Anxiety is very often linked to Rumination Disorder and early intervention is important. Rumination disorder and the anxiety that is represented is unlikely to go away on its own. Up to 70% of young people diagnosed with Anxiety disorders are also diagnosed with depression, which increases the risk of death by suicide by twenty fold. Mental health concerns in children should always be taken seriously and specialist advice taken at the first opportunity.
Diaphragmatic breathing and psychotherapy, with or without medication are useful in the treatment of Adolescent and Childhood Rumination Disorders. You will find an example of diaphragmatic breathing in our parent resources area here and on our you tube channel **here**
Signs and Symptoms of Rumination in Teens
Signs and symptoms of Rumination in teens may include:
- Regurgitation of food, usually within minutes or whilst at the table
- Abdominal Pain
- Feeling over full
- Bad breath
- Feeling sick or nausea
- Weight loss
- Vomiting without retching
- Avoiding eating with family and friends
- Malnutrition
- Crossing percentiles on weight graphs
- Hunger
- Irritability and anger at mealtimes
- Unusual posture. Head tilted backwards and cat like position at mealtimes
To be diagnosed Rumination disorder or regurgitation must not be better explained by Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, BED or ARFID.
Rumination disorder may occur alongside intellectual developmental disorders and children and young people should be assessed by an eating disorder specialist clinical team.
What causes Rumination Disorder?
Researchers are not quite certain on the causes of Rumination Disorder, although it does appear to be seen in children and young people who are predisposed to anxiety and depression. Rumination is described as painless.
“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”
Bulimia therapies and treatment options
Recovering from Bulimia
During a young person’s stay with us, they’ll experience a range of therapies and treatment options. Some of our most popular include:
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Eating Disorders
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is an effective evidence-based treatment for binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa, and depression. It helps young people to manage overwhelming feelings that often result in the use of food.
Goals in IPT include identifying relationships and working towards building them, whilst focusing on exploring emotions rather than suppressing them. Residential treatment for BED and Bulimia Nervosa provides a safe space for teenagers and young adults to address the underlying mechanisms of their eating disorder. However, IPT may not be suitable for those with Cluster B personality disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder, due to its focus on social constructs.
IPT forms part of the specialist eating disorder treatment program for teenagers and young adults at The Wave and is delivered by Therapists trained in IPT for eating disorders. The Wave Eating Disorder programs utilise a variety of evidence based treatment models, psychiatric care and exemplary medical interventions when needed to deliver Intensive Care, Primary Care and Secondary Care treatment for eating disorders for young people age 13 and over.
One-to-One Therapy
During one-to-one therapy, each young person meets regularly with a dedicated therapist. These sessions offer a safe space for them to open up, share any worries and concerns, and get to the root of their condition. Young people are also encouraged to learn how to handle their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms and associations with food.
Group Therapy
At The Wave, we place a strong emphasis on team spirit and building relationships. After all, having a strong support network helps many people when the time comes for them to transition back into their lives back home. That’s why so many of our activities and therapies are focused on cultivating relationships.
Although some young people find it a little daunting to open up, group therapy is a great way to learn from others on a similar journey. Our young people also find that group therapy enables them to form long-lasting friendships with other people. In addition, hearing from others who’ve battled an eating disorder shows our young people that they’re not alone and gives them the chance to hear how others cope with the condition. There’s also a greater sense of accountability, as everyone will have each other’s backs.
Eating Disorder-Informed Yoga
A special category of yoga, eating disorder-informed yoga is gentle and non-aerobic, making it ideal for those with bulimia who may have experienced malnutrition.
Eating disorder-informed yoga offers a gentle workout focused on the mental rather than the physical. During sessions, young people are guided through different movements, each designed to help them develop emotional awareness and trust in their bodies. It’s all about developing healthy habits that give young people ownership over their bodies
Alternative Therapies
From dance and art therapy to reiki and mindfulness, we offer a range of alternative therapies to enhance wellness and promote healing from the inside out. Being exposed to natural healing treatments can relieve stress, helping many people better cope with negative emotions and those moments when they feel like slipping back into old habits.
Creative therapies like art, dance, and drama offers the chance to express emotions and let go of negative associations with food. These therapies also help many develop new skills and hobbies that they can use once they’ve left our clinic – ideal for channelling their energy into something creative.
Gardening Groups
Known as horticultural therapy, our gardening group programmes offer our young people the chance to garden and look after their own bed of flowers and plants. This ownership gives them responsibility for something, empowering them to look after the seeds they’ve sown. Not only does this show them the power of care and compassion, but these skills can also be directly translated into how they look after themselves.
Flowers take time to grow, but they flourish with the right care and support, just like young people in recovery will. We also offer young people the opportunity to plant fruits and vegetables, enabling them to be involved with food from the moment it’s planted.
Family Therapy
Bulimia can take a toll on the whole family, and it can sometimes be difficult for loved ones to truly understand what a young person is going through and why. Our family therapy sessions are a safe space for everyone to open up, voice their feelings and concerns, and better understand one another.
Nutritional Programmes
During a young person’s stay at The Wave, they have a personalised nutritional programme tailored to their specific needs. This ensures that those in recovery from an eating disorder get all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong and recover. We also offer a wide range of education on nutrition, food groups, and how nutrition affects the body.
Over time, young people in our care slowly learn to develop healthy and regular eating patterns and meal planning. We take everything at our client’s pace, helping them adjust to the changes smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
Bulimia FAQ's
Yes, bulimia can be treated through a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and nutritional counseling. Early intervention and treatment are critical for a successful outcome.
Bulimia is a complex disorder with multiple causes, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Young people who experience low self-esteem, negative body image, and difficulties coping with stress or emotions may be more vulnerable to developing bulimia.
Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise. Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake to the point of significant weight loss. Both disorders share some similarities but have distinct differences in terms of symptoms, behaviors, and associated health risks.
The Wave has provided me with the ability to feel calm with the secure feeling that they are a team of professionals who know exact what my daughter needs. It has not been easy and continues to be a challenging journey.
The consistent communication through WhatsApp, phone calls, in-person and virtual family therapy sessions and weekly report have made being halfway across the world feel as if I am as part of my daughter’s treatment as I possibly can.
I had a great experience when I was on The Wave. It was one of the best experiences in my life. I enjoy all the sessions conducted by the team. I never had a chance to speak in group, specially with friends from other countries before.
It opens my eyes and gives me a new knowledge and experience to be a better person.
It opens my eyes and gives me a new knowledge and experience to be a better person.
