Sofia’s Eating Disorder Treatment Fund

Like that of thousands of sufferers, Sofia Benbahmed’s twelve year battle with anorexia has taken its toll on her. While Sofia should be creating beautiful memories with friends and reveling in the adventures of her youth, she has instead spent the last four and a half years in hospitals and residential treatment programs, trying desperately to get her symptoms under control. Now ready to commit herself to treatment at Monte Nido, a residential treatment facility in California operated by the dynamic Carloyn Costin, Sofia’s insurance company is refusing to pay for her care.

Sofia’s situation is as unique as it is common. Like Sofia, men and women who suffer from eating disorders are denied adequate coverage of their illness daily. Victims and their families are forced to make excruciating choices, such as to take from one’s retirement or try to put their house for sale – as Sofia’s family has done – or watch their loved one suffer an agonizing death. Common causes of death among people with eating disorders are heart attacks, lungs collapsing, gastric ruptures, and liver failure.

It might seem like an easy choice to save your child, but consider the position that many families are in. They have other children with other medical needs. They have to consider paying for their children’s education and giving them a warm place to sleep at night. And many families, particularly given the current economic climate, have already seen their savings evaporate or their home foreclosed. There’s simply nothing left. Some families are left with the choice of stealing (this is a sad but true reality) or begging for outside assistance. The latter is where Sofia and her family find themselves today.

Sofia is truly a pioneer. She has courageously decided to reclaim her life by fighting her insurance company for their refusal to adequately cover her treatment. As with most battles, Sofia’s is sure to take time. But she cannot wait, as her health is slowly deteriorating as the eating disorder rages on without treatment. Her treatment team advises that she receive two months of treatment as soon as possible.

If that sounds to you like a lot, that’s because severe eating disorders require intensive, round-the-clock care, particularly when previous efforts have failed. Just as with a child with diabetes or an adult with schizophrenia, treatment must be multi-faceted in nature, addressing the biological, social and psychological factors that contribute to the disease. However, many insurance companies fail to see it this way.

In approximately 60% of states, eating disorders are not on the list of diagnoses currently considered “biologically-based.” So, they are often not required to be covered by insurance companies. This flies in the face of the growing body of literature which states that eating disorders do have a biological basis and likely share the same level of genetic influence as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, diseases that fortunately are included.

Like any good pioneer, Sofia is refusing to accept the status quo. Amidst the personal struggle she is facing with her mental and physical health on a daily basis, Sofia has launched an online campaign to raise funds for her treatment, at least while her appeal with her insurance company is in progress. I encourage you to read Sofia’s own words and consider helping her in her endeavor.

Personally, I am humbled by Sofia’s courage and dedication to getting well. I hope that NTS readers will be inspired by this brave young woman as well, and will help to ensure she has a future full of beautiful memories.