Anorexia nerviosa is a condition in which a person restricts food to the point that they are seriously underweight to the point of endangering their health. For a long time, not much was known about anorexia disorder, but now we know much more. Experts in the field of mental health have studied the condition, identified some of the causes, and developed treatment programs.
The first step in the treatment of anorexia nerviosa is recognizing the problem. Many people with anorexia deny that anything is wrong. Their friends and loved ones, though, can notice signs of the condition. They can encourage the person to get help.
Here are some signs to watch out for.
Signs of Anorexia Disorder
People with anorexia are generally severely underweight, but in the beginning stages of the disorder, this may not be the case. There are other signs to watch for, though.
Anorexia people often pretend to eat, lie about how much they eat, and are secretive about their eating. They may wear bulky clothes to hide their weight. They become annoyed, angry, or defensive when questioned about their eating habits.
Anorexic people usually obsess about food and weight. They may eat strange diets. For example, when the actress Sandra Dey was battling anorexia, she ate nothing but carrots. Her fingers turned orange due to her diet.
People with anorexia nerviosa may withdraw from social situations, especially those involving food. They may avoid eating in public.
People with anorexia are often moody and depressed. They have a poor self-image. They also experience lethargy and fatigue.
People with anorexia disorder may exercise excessively in order to keep their weight down. They may also abuse diet pills or laxatives. They may vomit after eating.
Treating Anorexia Nerviosa
Once anorexia disorder has been identified, it’s time to begin treatment. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment programs designed to treat the disorder. Treatment often requires inpatient mental health care where medical care is given, meals can be supervised, and intensive therapy is available. After the person has stabilized, treatment can be continued on an outpatient basis.
The first step in the treatment of anorexia nerviosa is medical care. There are a number of medical problems associated with the disorder. Anorexics are often weak and dizzy due to malnutrition, dehydration, and low blood pressure (hypotension). Their heartbeat may be irregular. They may be experiencing gastro-intestinal problems such as constipation, bloating, ulcers, and stomach pain. Fortunately, these things will go away with proper medical care. Many of these problems will be resolved as soon as the person begins eating again and gains a little weight.
Unfortunately, some medical complications of anorexia disorder are more serious and are not reversible. Anorexics may suffer kidney disease, liver disease, and damage to the heart muscle. Some die from these conditions. Others require lifelong treatment to manage the problems
After the person is stabilized medically, nutritional counseling is given to help them plan a healthy diet and learn about healthy eating. One benefit to inpatient treatment is that meals can be supervised. That way staff knows just what and how much patients are eating, and patients can be encouraged to eat a healthy meal.
Finally, mental health treatment is provided. Group and individual counseling are recommended for the treatment of anorexia. Psychotropic medication may also be prescribed to treat depression or anxiety, which are common in people with anorexia.
Treatment for anorexia takes a long time. Inpatient or intensive outpatient care may last for six months or more. Follow up care on an outpatient basis is then needed. With the proper care, though, anorexia is a treatable disease.