Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Understanding the Treatments for Anorexia

According to the world renowned Mayo Clinic the definition of Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia) is: “an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat” (Mayo Definition). Anorexia can cause unrealistic expectations of body type and a distorted view of body image, causing Anorexia suffers to starve themselves trying to reach a ‘perfection’ that does not exist. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, understanding the treatments for Anorexia may just save a life. Begin by looking for signs and symptoms. Once those have been identified, share your concerns with someone you trust, next seek treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

Anorexia and Food – Food often becomes a love/hate object if you are suffering with Anorexia. Initially you may begin eating smaller and smaller portions. Soon however someone suffering with Anorexia will begin to hate food and perceive it as an enemy.
Anorexia and Body Dysmorphia– Body Dysmorphia is a skewed reality of body image. For most people suffering from Anorexia, this is a driving force for continued starvation as you try to create a body type that is impossible to achieve.
Anorexia and Purging – In an attempt to create the dysmorphic image created by someone suffering with Anorexia, purging will become habitual. This includes chronic use of laxative and diuretics, throwing up, and compulsive exercising.

These are outlined signs and symptoms. You should seek and understand the treatments for Anorexia if you feel may have any or all of these symptoms.

Share Your Concerns with Someone You Trust

Nutritional counseling helps people understand what their bodies need to thrive, and what the effects of anorexia are.

Anorexia is a disease of shame. It is hidden most often with bulky clothing and excuses to ‘get healthy’. This makes it very difficult to share. You may feel that no will understand, or they will make light of it. Finding someone you trust is the key to opening up and letting the secret out. If you feel you cannot tell a parent, spouse, or sibling, try your family physician. Your doctor is a safe place because they are concerned about your health. They will recognize the symptoms and can bring together the people who will help you overcome your disease.

Understanding the Treatments for Anorexia

Treatments for Anorexia are similar in mental health settings. It is important to find the provider that you feel most comfortable with

According to the National Institute of Health treating anorexia nervosa involves three components (Treatment):

Restoring the person to a healthy weight
Treating the psychological issues related to the eating disorder
Reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to insufficient eating and preventing relapse.

Anorexia is a psychological disease that causes distorted body image, a need to control bodily functions, while creating feelings of shame and secrecy. Recognizing signs and symptoms and sharing your concerns with someone you trust are two steps towards recovery. Understanding the treatments for Anorexia and finding a program that provides treatment that works for you can help you gain a healthy perspective of your life choices.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

You may be drinking to your death

Excessive consumption of alcohol impairs normal reasoning and can lead to injury or even death. Ugandans love their drink. When you ask most, even ladies, how their perfect evening would be, the answer usually is, “At an outing having a drink.” A drink here doesn’t refer to one bottle of beer; what most of them….

Choice of Drug Czar Indicates Focus on Treatment, Not Jail

The White House said yesterday that it will push for treatment, rather than incarceration, of people arrested for drug-related crimes as it announced the nomination of Seattle Police Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske to oversee the nation’s effort to control illegal drugs. The choice of drug czar and the emphasis on alternative drug courts, announced by….

Alcoholic turns to faith for help

John Baker is a quiet, unassuming man. When he says he deserves no credit for starting Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step program now in 12,000 churches, he means it. Baker, who is in Tulsa this weekend for a Celebrate Recovery leadership training seminar, was raised in a Christian home and said he accepted Christ when….

Coping with Depression in Drug Treatment

When you go into drug treatment there’s always a chance that you will suffer bouts of depression along the way. Depression is a serious condition and coping with depression on top of all the other thoughts and conditions that you are dealing with in drug treatment can be difficult. But, who said the road to….

Alcohol research finds women need to drink accordingly

Sometimes I hate being a girl, especially if you’re a girl who enjoys the occasional cocktail. We all know drinking can have unintended consequences, but it turns out that imbibing poses more risks for us than it does the guys. When women drink, they become intoxicated more quickly than men do, and the alcohol causes….