Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is a complex eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, dangerously low body weight and obsession with weight loss and dieting. Most anorexia sufferers struggle with extreme emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety or perfectionism as well. Since anorexia affects a person's physical health as well as emotions and behaviors, treatment that approaches all aspects of the condition is recommended. Keep in mind that although anorexia is complex, it is also treatable.
Medical Care
Medical care is often a first step in treatment for people with anorexia. According to the Mayo Clinic, anorexia often causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to serious consequences, including heart problems. Because of this, you may require monitoring of your hydration and electrolyte levels, either from your doctor on an out-patient basis or, in more serious cases, during a hospital stay. When anorexia leads to extreme starvation or if a person refuses to eat during initial stages of recovery, tube feeding may be required, in which a person is fed intravenously through a tube that reaches through nose and down into the stomach. Once physical health is restored to a more stable degree and doctors or therapists believe the patient can begin other forms of treatment, such as behavioral therapy, medical treatments may be reduced.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling conducted by a therapist who specializes in eating disorders is a common form of anorexia treatment. According to the American Psychological Association, a psychologist's role is ideally one vital aspect of a multi-faceted treatment program for eating disorders that addresses physical health and nutritional counseling in addition to emotional and behavioral issues. Most often, the psychologist will formulate a treatment plan that best suits the person with the disorder. This usually involves addressing healthy ways to change negative behaviors (such as restricting food intake and compulsively weighing yourself) as well as addressing thoughts and feelings pertaining to the disorder. Since many people with anorexia use weight loss and dieting as means of coping with difficult feelings and situations, healthier means of coping and examining where these underlying issues come from, is key.
Family-Based Therapy
In many cases, anorexia affects an entire family. The Mayo Clinic suggests that family therapy works on the assumption that the person with anorexia isn't capable of making responsible decisions regarding her wellness or recovery. Family-based therapy encourages open communication between family members and guides the family toward resolving conflicts and supporting each other throughout the recovery process. If family members diet or hold negative food, body or weight attitudes, these feelings and behaviors are addressed as well. Ideally, the entire family will commit to a healthy dietary lifestyle that promotes physical and emotional well-being. The Mayo Clinic suggests this form of therapy for children with anorexia who live with their parents.
