Treatment Options for Anorexia Nervosa

Eating is necessary for survival. The human body can’t survive without food. For some people, eating is just an act done for survival. Others take pleasure in eating and may experiment with different flavors and textures. 

However, some people may not eat at all. They’ll starve themselves on purpose. While some people may starve themselves on purpose, people afflicted with anorexia nervosa starve themselves due to their eating disorder.

At Twilight Recovery, we make it our mission to help those who are struggling with a variety of conditions, such as substance use disorder, mental health conditions, and eating disorders.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa, usually referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder wherein a person’s eating habits are noticeably lacking. People who have this condition usually have an intense fear of weight gain and have a distorted image of their own bodies, often seeing themselves as heavier than they are.

Recovering from anorexia can be a challenging process, but with the right care and support, an anorexic person can reframe their relationship with food and develop healthy eating patterns.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Treating anorexia nervosa is not as simple as getting someone to eat more. Rather, treatment is often complex and has to stabilize the patient and address the root causes of their condition. While getting someone to eat more may seem like it works in the short term, long-term recovery will require psychiatric intervention from a qualified mental health professional.

Treating anorexia nervosa is not as simple as getting someone to eat more. Rather, treatment is often complex and has to stabilize the patient and address the root causes of their condition. While getting someone to eat more may seem like it works in the short term, long-term recovery will require psychiatric intervention from a qualified mental health professional.

Some of the options that can be used to treat anorexia include:

Residential Treatment

Severe cases of anorexia may require the intensive treatment found in residential care. While inside a treatment center, a person with anorexia can receive specialized care for their condition as well as continuous monitoring and support. 

Residential treatment can offer a person with anorexia a controlled environment where they can focus on their recovery.

Outpatient Care

For less severe cases, a person may be able to recover with outpatient treatment. Instead of checking into a treatment center, a person can attend multiple therapy sessions to develop healthy eating habits.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of therapy that is focused on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. By using CBT, a patient can identify and change the negative thought patterns that can lead to disordered eating, which can change their behavior.

Medications

While medications aren’t often the first line of treatment for anorexia itself, if a person’s disordered eating patterns are rooted in anxiety or depression, then they may be prescribed the appropriate medication.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT)

FBT can be especially effective for adolescent patients. This form of treatment involves the family in the process. Family therapy helps members be more supportive of a patient’s reframing of their relationship with food and developing healthy eating patterns.

Support Groups

Support groups can be an important facet of treating a person with anorexia. They can help those struggling with their eating to be supported by people who have had similar struggles.

Aftercare

Once a person finishes treatment, they need to regularly check in with their care providers, who can monitor their progress and help them develop strategies and coping mechanisms to prevent them from falling back into old patterns of eating.

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia

There are a number of signs that can indicate that a person has developed anorexia. Some of these signs include:

Restrictive Eating

The most telling sign of anorexia is restrictive eating. People who have anorexia will severely limit their intake of food and often count their calories. Some will also avoid certain foods outright.

Compulsive Behavior

Some people who have anorexia will compulsively exercise, use laxatives, or even vomit to lose weight. The last one can be a major sign of bulimia nervosa, another eating disorder.

Fear of Weight Gain

A telling sign is the fear of gaining weight. People who have anorexia will be intensely fearful of gaining weight. This can lead to the calorie counting and compulsive behaviors outlined above as people desperately try to stop themselves from gaining weight.

Causes of Anorexia

Several factors can contribute to the development of anorexia. These factors include:

Genetics

Some people can be predisposed to anorexia. Individuals with a family history of anxiety or depression are at higher risk for developing eating disorders.

Perfectionism

People with perfectionist tendencies may set unrealistic goals, including their weight. This can cause them to obsessively monitor their weight and diet, eventually leading to anorexia.

Low Self-Esteem

People with low self-esteem may lose weight to gain a sense of achievement. Some can also believe that losing weight will make them a better version of themselves and thus fix their issues with their self-esteem.

Trauma or Stress

Some people who experience a traumatic event or prolonged stress can sometimes develop anxiety as a coping mechanism.

Family Environment

A person’s family environment can have a major impact on the development of eating disorders. Growing up in an environment where food intake is measured and monitored can cause a person to develop anorexic habits to get what they perceive as a healthy weight.

Culture

Similarly, being in a culture that glamorizes certain body types can sometimes compel people to change their bodies to fit that beauty standard. This can greatly contribute to many eating disorders, such as anxiety.

We Provide Eating Disorder Treatment at Twilight Recovery

Food is a necessity. The human body can’t go without food. Most people can survive 70 days without eating, assuming they are hydrated. Food is also pleasurable; when cooked and seasoned properly, it can take someone on a culinary journey.

But for some people, food can be the enemy. Not because the food itself is necessarily bad but because some people have been conditioned to believe that any amount of food will make them immediately gain five to ten pounds.

Food, however, is fuel. It’s what gives the body the energy to keep going. With the right treatment, a person who struggles with anorexia can realize that food isn’t their enemy; it’s what powers their bodies. With the right care, a person can eat healthily and have a more positive relationship with food.

At Twilight Recovery, we offer treatment for anorexia and other eating disorders. Contact us now, and we can help you begin your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions