What is anorexia?
Anorexia (anorexia nervosa) is an eating disorder in which people restrict the number of calories they eat, leading to nutritional deficiencies and an intense fear of weight gain, often without realizing the severity of their condition. If you—or someone you love—is experiencing a deep concern or fear of weight gain, seek professional help as soon as possible. Anorexia is a mental and physical illness. If untreated, it can lead to malnutrition, serious health problems, and even death.
Subtypes of Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is divided into two subtypes based on eating behaviors:
▸Restrictive anorexia: People with this subtype severely restrict the amount and types of food they eat.
▸Bunning-purging anorexia: People with this subtype severely restrict the amount and types of food they eat. But they also have episodes of bingeing and purging. They may eat large amounts of food in a short period of time and then intentionally vomit or use laxatives or diuretics to purge the food they have eaten.
Mental and emotional symptoms of anorexia
Emotional and mental symptoms of anorexia include:
▸ An intense fear of gaining weight.
▸ An inability to realistically assess your weight and body shape (distorted self-image).
▸ An obsessive interest in food, calories, and dieting.
▸ A fear of certain foods or types of food.
It is common to have other mental health issues in addition to anorexia, so you may experience other mental and emotional symptoms.
Behavioral symptoms of anorexia include:
▸ Changes in eating habits or routines, such as eating in a specific order or rearranging items on your plate.
▸ Sudden changes in food preferences, such as eliminating certain food types or food groups.
▸ Frequent comments about feeling "fat" or still being overweight despite weight loss.
▸ Purging by intentionally vomiting and/or abusing laxatives or diuretics.
▸ Going to the bathroom right after eating.
▸ Abusing diet pills or appetite suppressants.
▸ Compulsive and/or excessive exercise.
▸ Continuing to restrict calorie intake even if your weight is low for your sex, height, and age.
Psychological treatment for anorexia
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a type of individual counseling that focuses on changing your thinking and behavior patterns. Treatment includes practical techniques for developing healthy attitudes toward food and weight. It also involves ways to change the way you react to difficult situations. There are several types of psychotherapy, including:
▸Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The goal is to develop motivation to change behaviors rather than thoughts and feelings.
▸Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The goal of CBT is to address distorted views and attitudes about weight, shape, and appearance, and to practice behavioral changes.
▸Cognitive Corrective Therapy: This therapy uses reflection and guided supervision to develop the ability to focus on multiple things at once.
▸Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Specific skills you’ll learn in DBT include building mindfulness, improving relationships, managing emotions, and tolerating distress.
▸Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): IPT involves improving relationships and communication, which may reduce eating disorder symptoms.
▸Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: This therapy involves looking for the root causes of anorexia as the key to recovery.
How long does it take to recover from anorexia?
Everyone’s journey to recovery from anorexia is different. It’s important to remember that recovery from anorexia is possible. Treatment often involves many parts. Each part may take a different amount of time.
No matter where you or your loved one are, it’s vital to continue working toward recovery.
