Anorexia Nervosa: Diagnosis, Treatment & Management

A Quick Guide

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that may be potentially life-threatening. It is characterized by having a critically low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and extreme food restriction. The treatment for anorexia nervosa includes psychotherapy, medication, nutritional counseling, other strategies, or hospitalization if necessary.

How is Anorexia Diagnosed?

Anorexia might be hard to recognize. A few traits of the condition include secrecy, shame, and denial. The disorder may therefore go unnoticed for extended periods of time. If some symptoms appear, the doctor will conduct a thorough medical history and physical exam before beginning an evaluation.

Even though there are no lab tests particularly designed to diagnose Anorexia. The doctor may employ a variety of medical tests, such as blood tests, or to check functions of the liver, thyroid, kidneys, etc, to exclude physical illness as the reason for the weight loss and to assess the impact of that weight loss on the body’s systems. The patient may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, or medical expert with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases if no physical problem is discovered.

In order to screen a person for an eating disorder, psychiatrists and psychologists may utilize specially created interview and evaluation methods. Additionally, your mental health practitioner could refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for the criteria of Anorexia Nervosa.

Treatment and Management

Helping the patient acknowledge that they have a disease is the most difficult aspect of treating anorexia. Many people with this condition refuse to acknowledge that they suffer from an eating disorder. They frequently wait until their disease is critical or life-threatening before seeking medical attention. This is why it’s essential to identify anorexia early and begin appropriate treatment. The type of treatment chosen will depend on the needs of the patient. The following strategies are typically used in combination with anorexia treatment:

Psychotherapy

The following therapies may be helpful for anorexia:

Individual therapy: Adults have been proven to benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT. Normalizing eating habits and other activities to promote weight gain is the major objective. The second objective is to assist in altering incorrect ideas and attitudes that support restrictive eating.

Family-based therapy: This type of therapy is most helpful for teenagers with anorexia. This approach helps parents to assist their child with re-feeding and weight maintenance until the child can make responsible decisions about their wellbeing because a child with anorexia is often unable to do so while struggling with this dangerous illness.

Medication

There are presently no approved drugs to treat anorexia. To treat the anxiety and depression that are frequently accompanied by anorexia, certain healthcare professionals may prescribe medication. Sometimes medical professionals will recommend drugs to assist regulate periods and to help address incorrect attitudes toward eating and body image.  Some antidepressants may also promote appetite and sleep. 

Nutrition counseling

This plan aims to re-establish healthy eating patterns, develop a healthy perspective on food and weight management, and stress the value of eating a balanced diet and good nutrients.

Hospitalization

Treatment for extreme weight loss that has led to starvation and other major mental or physical health issues, such as heart conditions, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions, may require hospitalization.

We hope you found this article useful in understanding more about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Anorexia Nervosa.