anorexia
nervosa treatment
whole-person care to identify and treat anorexia nervosa and co-occurring disorders
Restoring a healthy relationship to eating and developing self-compassion are key goals of anorexia nervosa treatment at Galen Hope. We are here for clients every step of the way, guiding you or your loved one through a comprehensive care program that provides the skills to overcome such difficult times.
what is anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, often called simply anorexia, is a severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, even at an unhealthy weight. People with anorexia restrict their food intake drastically, often resorting to extreme calorie counting, skipping meals, and excessive exercise. This distorted body image and obsession with thinness lead to malnutrition, weak muscles, and fatigue. Anorexia can damage the heart, bones, and other organs. It’s a complex mental illness, but with treatment that includes therapy, nutrition counseling, and sometimes medication, recovery is possible.
identifying anorexia nervosa symptoms
Anorexia nervosa is the least-prevalent eating disorder, despite perhaps being the most recognized, which is why recognizing symptoms early is crucial. Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include extreme food restriction, a preoccupation with thinness, and a distorted body image. Excessive exercise, or exercise addiction, can also accompany anorexia nervosa.
understanding atypical anorexia
Atypical anorexia is a more recent diagnosis and is used to diagnose those who exhibit all the criteria for anorexia nervosa, but are not visibly “underweight.” Often, atypical anorexia develops when someone is excessively exercising and dieting and rapidly dropping weight, putting enormous strain on the body, regardless of the body shape or size that an individual may have started with or ended up with.
Atypical anorexia is often a missed feature of those who have struggled at times with binge eating disorder, and many of those who suffer receive late diagnoses due to weight bias in the medical community, a misunderstanding of what it means to be underweight, and a lack of understanding of the medical and psychological risks associated with rapid and excessive weight loss.
At Galen Hope, we refer to all forms of anorexia nervosa as simply “anorexia” but understand that some individuals may find the “atypical” label to be helpful in communicating to others about their diagnosis.
importance of treatment for anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any eating disorder and the second highest mortality rate of any mental health diagnosis after opiate addiction. Suicidal ideation is all too common among those with anorexia, and contributes to the high mortality rate. If left untreated, anorexia can lead to serious physiological complications that can harm all body systems.
Studies show the majority of those with anorexia nervosa will experience a co-occurring disorder during their lifetime. Disorders that often co-occur with anorexia include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PSTD, and substance use disorders. To fully recover from an eating disorder, it’s also crucial to identify and treat co-occurring disorders as well.
The staff at Galen Hope are experienced in identifying eating disorders as well as co-occurring issues. We work with clients and family alike to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address the whole person.