Anorexia: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms & Recovery

What is anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa is characterised by restrictive eating, where food is limited to a dangerous and potentially life-threatening extent. Typically, there is an overwhelming fear of weight gain and a persistent preoccupation with body shape and weight.

It’s essential to understand that anorexia nervosa is not simply a weight disorder or just about food. It’s a mental illness that profoundly affects an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Often, anorexia serves as a coping mechanism to manage challenging emotions and regain a sense of control.

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1. Are there different types of anorexia?
2. What are the signs and symptoms of anorexia?
3. What causes anorexia?
4. How to help a loved one with anorexia
5. How is anorexia diagnosed?
6. How is anorexia treated?
7. Anorexia recovery stories
8. Anorexia support & treatment with Natural Food Therapy
9. Frequently Asked Questions about Anorexia Nervosa

Are there different types of anorexia?

There are three main types of anorexia: restricting anorexia, binge eating/purging anorexia, and atypical anorexia. It’s important to understand that not everyone neatly fits into one of these categories, as every person’s experience of an eating disorder is unique.

Restricting Type

While all forms of anorexia involve restrictive eating, the Restricting Type is categorised by severe restrictions on how much and the types of foods being eaten. Behaviours associated with this subtype often include meticulous calorie counting, frequent self-weighing, elimination of foods or food groups, and rigid adherence to strict eating rules.

Binge Eating / Purging Type

Binge-purge type combines elements of both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Individuals suffering from this type will experience binge eating episodes where they consume large amounts of food over a short period of time. This is followed by compensatory purging behaviours such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or taking laxatives.

Despite these binge-purge episodes, individuals with this subtype may still maintain a low body weight. For some with this subtype, they may perceive even a relatively small amount of food as a ‘binge’.

Atypical Anorexia

Atypical anorexia mirrors the characteristics of the Restricting Type, with the only exception that individuals may not be medically underweight. Despite maintaining a weight considered “normal” by medical standards, their eating patterns and emotional struggles closely align with those seen in anorexia nervosa.

It’s important to emphasise that Atypical Anorexia is a prevalent form of anorexia and should not be misconstrued as rare or ‘atypical’ in any sense.

What are the signs and symptoms of Anorexia?

Most people commonly relate rapid weight loss or being medically underweight to anorexia, which is indeed a sign for some. However, it’s important to understand that anorexia often presents itself through a range of other signs and behaviours. Anorexia is a complex mental illness that encompasses not only physical expressions but also emotional, behavioural and psychological aspects.

Psychological/Emotional Signs and Symptoms:

• Preoccupation with food, eating, body shape and weight
• Anxiety and distress around eating
• Distorted perception of body image
• Rigid thought patterns around food
• An increasingly critical inner voice
• Low self-esteem, comparison and insecurity
• Perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking
• Co-occurring conditions such as depression

Behavioural Signs and Symptoms:

• Tightly regulated and restricted eating
• Obsessive rules and rituals around food
• Frequently commenting on ‘feeling fat’
• Body checking such as frequent weighing or pinching waist
• Secrecy around eating
• Making meals for others but not eating yourself
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Compensatory behaviours such as purging
• Food and/or exercise dictating life choices

Physical Signs and Symptoms:

• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive problems
• Poor concentration and focus
• Fine hair on the face and body
• Fainting or dizziness
• Dry skin, brittle nails and/or thinning hair
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Loss of menstruation
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased libido
• Looking pale, tired and sunken eyes

What causes anorexia?

There is no single known cause of anorexia or one way of experiencing it. Most commonly, the illness stems from a complex cluster of underlying causes that lead to an individual turning to the eating disorder as a way of coping. Some of the factors that may contribute include:

• Genetic predisposition: Genetic predisposition may play a role, as anorexia tends to run in families. Certain inherited traits and biological vulnerabilities can make some individuals more susceptible.
• Psychological factors: Emotional and psychological elements play a significant role. These factors may encompass low self-esteem, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, and a strong desire for control.
• Environmental Influences: Societal and cultural pressures to attain an ideal body shape or size can contribute significantly. Additionally, family dynamics, relationship issues, and the onset of puberty may act as environmental triggers.
• Traumatic Events: Unresolved trauma can play a part in the development of eating disorders. Traumatic experiences may lead individuals to attempt to cope with overwhelming feelings and painful emotions by limiting food.
• Dieting: Intentional dieting and weight loss efforts, often influenced by societal standards, can escalate into anorexia. Strict dieting can affect brain chemistry, amplifying the obsession with weight loss.
• Certain Occupations: Certain occupations, such as sports, performing arts, ballet, and modelling, may increase the risk of anorexia due to the emphasis on appearance.
• Stress and Coping Mechanisms: High levels of stress, combined with a lack of effective coping strategies, can lead individuals to turn to restrictive eating patterns as a way to manage stress and regain a sense of control.

It’s essential to recognise that anorexia is a multifaceted condition, and the combination of these factors can vary greatly from one person to another.

How to help a loved one with anorexia

If you’re supporting a loved one who is battling anorexia, here are some crucial steps to provide the care and understanding they need:

1. Learn about the illness: Educate yourself about anorexia to gain a better understanding of what your loved one is experiencing. Your effort to learn can make a significant difference and create an environment where they feel comfortable talking to you.
2. Open communication: Initiate open and non-judgmental conversations with your loved one. Express your concern without blame or shame, reassuring them that you’re there to listen and support them.
3. Encourage professional support: Offer resources and assist them in exploring recovery options. This can be a daunting process, and your support can make a difference in helping them take the crucial step towards seeking professional treatment.
4. Avoid triggering language: Be mindful of your choice of words, steering clear of discussions about dieting, weight or appearance.
5. Model healthy eating habits: Modelling a healthy relationship with food yourself can be beneficial. Demonstrating intuitive and flexible eating habits can indirectly support their recovery.
6. Stay positive: Celebrate even the smallest victories and progress. Positivity and encouragement can be powerful motivators. However, refrain from celebrating weight changes or making any comments related to weight or the body, as these can be counterproductive.
7. Offer assistance: Ask if your loved one would find practical help, such as meal preparation, useful in their recovery. Show your willingness to assist without taking control.
8. Be involved: Maintain your presence in your loved one’s life by engaging in activities and maintaining connections unrelated to their eating disorder.
9. Respect their privacy: While it’s essential to be supportive, respect your loved one’s boundaries and privacy. Understand that they may not always want to discuss their feelings or struggles.

By following these steps with empathy and patience, you can play a vital role in your loved one’s journey toward recovery from anorexia. You may wish to book a consultation with a specialist to learn more about how you can support a loved one through recovery.

How is anorexia diagnosed?

Diagnosing anorexia typically involves a comprehensive assessment conducted by a medical professional. It often starts by reaching out to a GP, who can then refer you for an assessment.

If you display signs and symptoms of anorexia, a thorough evaluation is conducted to ensure an accurate diagnosis, paving the way for appropriate treatment. This assessment typically involves asking questions about your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and attitudes concerning food, weight, and body image. Additionally, healthcare providers may order tests to check for imbalances or side effects of anorexia, such as nutritional deficiencies.

How is Anorexia treated?

The aims for anorexia treatment may include:

1. Reaching a healthy weight: Ensuring individuals reach and maintain their healthy weight is a critical aspect of treatment, particularly if they are underweight or malnourished.
2. Nutritional Counselling: Dietitians and nutritionists work with sufferers to establish a progressive eating plan and to create a healthy relationship with food.
3. Tackling Disordered Eating Patterns: Therapy and counselling can help individuals understand and change disordered eating patterns associated with anorexia.
4. Building Healthier Coping Mechanisms: Treatment supports individuals to build alternative, healthier ways to cope with stress, emotions, and life challenges.
5. Psychological Therapy: Working with a therapist specialising in eating disorders plays a central role in addressing the underlying psychological factors driving anorexia. This can help individuals to get to the root of the illness and create long-term changes.
6. Creating a Happier Life: Supporting individuals to create a future they are excited to recover for and to rediscover what they enjoy in life through recovery is important. This contributes to a more fulfilling and joyful life beyond anorexia.

These components work together to provide a comprehensive approach to the treatment of anorexia nervosa. The treatment plan is often personalised to meet the individual’s unique needs and may involve a combination of these elements. Early intervention and ongoing support can be supportive of recovery.

Anorexia Recovery Stories

Recovery is not just a distant hope but a real possibility for those facing anorexia. On our testimonial page, we have gathered stories of individuals who have found their way through recovery. Hearing from others can serve as a powerful beacon of hope, reminding us that recovery is always possible.

View anorexia recovery stories here.

Anorexia Support & Treatment with Natural Food Therapy

At Natural Food Therapy, we provide a distinctive approach to anorexia recovery, offering a comprehensive programme that works alongside medical intervention. Our team of anorexia coaches consists of trained nutritional therapists with specialised expertise in eating disorders. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing highly personalised care, with a maximum of five clients per specialist.

Our holistic support approach encompasses various therapeutic modalities, including nutritional therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), counselling skills, specialist coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and more. Throughout your journey, you’ll have the support of one dedicated specialist, ensuring a personalised and effective path to recovery. This approach is ideal for those who do not require inpatient care and are seeking a tailored, holistic, and compassionate approach to healing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anorexia Nervosa