Eating Disorders - Anorexia Treatment Centre

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder that can be life-threatening, often starting in the adolescent years. It involves a strong fear of gaining weight, significant weight loss, and a distorted view of one’s body.

What makes this condition complex is that more than 50% of people with anorexia nervosa are also struggling with other mental health conditions and substance use disorders, making the treatment even more complicated.

A comprehensive intervention plan offered in a treatment centre like PROMIS is usually suggested for anorexia. This plan typically includes medication, personalized therapy, and nutritional or dietary management.

PROMIS is a private facility that specialises in treating those suffering from anorexia nervosa and substance use disorders. Our centre accepts patients of all ages and genders, offering residential and outpatient treatment programs for people of different backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.

What Are Eating Disorders

Eating disorders represent a category of mental health conditions that are characterized by profound disruptions in eating habits and can manifest as either excessive or insufficient food intake, along with an intense preoccupation with body image and size.

Even though they are grouped under the term ‘eating’ disorders, these issues go beyond food. They reflect difficulties in coping with stress or challenges that feel overwhelming. These complex conditions highlight struggles with identity, self-image, and self-worth, affecting both men and women.

Understanding Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, more commonly known as anorexia, is an eating disorder that causes people to starve themselves because they believe that they are overweight when, in reality, their body weight falls below what is considered healthy.

Symptoms of anorexia are usually characterised by abnormally low body weight, distorted perception of weight, and an intense fear of putting on weight. Someone with anorexia prioritises controlling their weight and body shape, resorting to extreme efforts that significantly affect their lives. The disease takes many forms, from restricting the number of calories to depriving themselves of nutrition, resulting in extremely low body weight and other physical health problems.

They may also force vomiting after eating to control their calorie intake or misuse laxatives, diet aids, diuretics, and enemas to achieve their goals. Distorted views of their body shape and size are also common among its symptoms. The disorder is not entirely related to food but to eating patterns and how they use unhealthy methods, which can be life-threatening.

What Happens When You Have Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Individuals with anorexia may have intense feelings of shame and low self-esteem.

Many people who suffer from anorexia have a distorted body image. They may see themselves as too fat even when they are dangerously thin.

Anorexia can lead to various health problems, such as slowed growth, low blood pressure and heart rate, brittle bones that break easily from minimal trauma, and even kidney damage.

Causes Of Anorexia Nervosa

Although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, several research studies and clinical practice suggest that a combination of different factors can lead to anorexia.

Environmental influences can also increase our tendency to develop this condition. Modern culture often emphasizes physical beauty, with a thin body seen as ideal, especially in Western societies.

In addition, biological factors can significantly increase the risk of developing anorexia nervosa. Research indicates a familial connection to the disorder, suggesting that individuals with a family history of eating disorders, depression, or substance abuse are more susceptible. Specifically, a person with a close relative who has anorexia is five times more likely to experience the disorder compared to someone without such a family background.

Other Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa belongs to a category of Feeding and Eating Disorders along with the following mental health conditions:

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia is a mental health condition characterised by frequent episodes of binge eating, often in secrecy, followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviours such as inducing vomiting, abusing laxatives, or excessively exercising.

Binge Eating Disorder: Like bulimia, binge eating disorder is an eating problem that involves episodes of overeating within a short period, followed by feelings of guilt and shame. However, unlike bulimia, this type of compulsive eating is not followed by purging exercises, which is the key difference between the two disorders.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): A newly recognized eating disorder characterized by significant disruptions in eating habits, leading to a consistent inability to satisfy nutritional requirements and an extreme aversion to certain foods.

Pica: Pica is a type of eating disorder where a person often consumes non-food items that lack nutritional value, such as paper, fabric, hair, clay, etc.
Rumination Disorder: Rumination disorder is characterized by the involuntary regurgitation and re-chewing of food following consumption. This condition involves the voluntary return of swallowed food to the mouth, where it may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or expelled. It can manifest during infancy, childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

How Are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers and mental health experts diagnose eating disorders by looking at your symptoms and eating habits and conducting an examination.

In addition, they will measure your weight and height and compare these to records on growth charts. They might also request tests to find out if there are other causes for the eating issues and to check for any problems caused by the eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

The treatment for anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders depends on various factors, including the type and nature of your condition and its severity. Here at PROMIS, our personalised treatment plans are tailored to each individual and provide ongoing support, not only throughout the inpatient treatment but long after through rehabilitation and aftercare services. There are several treatment options for people who have anorexia. However, most treatment providers utilise a combination of several methods.

Therapeutic Interventions

Therapy forms a crucial part of the treatment of anorexia. PROMIS offers various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you understand and change your thought patterns, including the intense fear of gaining weight and behaviour related to eating and body image.

We also provide other forms of talk therapy, which may include interpersonal therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. These strategies are aimed at addressing the psychological aspects of anorexia to help you cope with emotional issues, improve self-esteem, and develop healthier attitudes towards food and body image.

Nutritional and Diet Management

An integral part of treating anorexia involves nutritional rehabilitation and education. Dieticians and nutritionists at PROMIS will work with you to develop personalised meal plans. These plans are designed to help people reach a healthy weight, promote healthy eating, and restore nutritional balance. Nutritional counselling will also educate you about the importance of balanced eating and help dispel myths about food and weight. Vitamin and mineral supplements may also be given to help the body recover.

Medication

In some cases, medication may be prescribed as part of the treatment for anorexia. This is typically considered when you have co-existing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or to manage specific symptoms of the eating disorder. The use of medication is always carefully monitored and is often used in conjunction with therapy and nutritional support.

Holistic and Supportive Care

Here at PROMIS, treatment usually includes a focus on holistic care, such as alternative activities and other stress-reduction techniques. These are designed to complement traditional treatments and support your overall mental and physical well-being. In addition, support groups are often available, providing a community where you can share experiences and offer mutual support.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Once initial treatment phases are completed, ongoing support, family support, and aftercare become important. This includes regular follow-ups, continued therapy sessions, and monitoring to prevent relapse. Education about relapse prevention strategies is also a key component, equipping individuals with the skills to maintain their recovery in the long term.

Get Help For Anorexia Nervosa at PROMIS

If you are struggling with anorexia or any other eating disorders, know that treatment is available and recovery is possible. Here at PROMIS, our multidisciplinary team of experts is dedicated to working with you in creating a treatment plan suited to your needs.