Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an unhealthy obsession with food and weight that prompts starvation and/ or excessive exercise. No matter how thin you might be, you think you are fat. While a preoccupation with food and weight is the primary aspect of this disease, it involves much more, such as the desire for perfection and control. Treatment can be challenging but success is possible. A treatment strategy entails addressing the issue from several angles including medical, psychological and nutritional.

Medical Care

• Anorexia can cause a host of physical complications. You might require regular monitoring of vital signs, level of hydration, electrolytes and any other condition resulting from anorexia, such as lung, kidney or heart damage. Currently, no prescription drugs address anorexia specifically, but your doctor might prescribe medications to address conditions such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder that might accompany the condition. Many of these medications are not appropriate for children and teenagers.

  If you continue to resist eating or have serious medical or psychological complications, you might require hospitalization, either in a medical or psychiatric ward. Other options include residential or day programs in clinics that specialize in treating eating disorders. After your release, therapy and nutrition counseling are important to stay on the recovery track.

Therapy

• Several forms of therapy can be beneficial in treating your anorexia. One of the most successful is cognitive behavioral therapy. This form of therapy helps you acknowledge and confront your fears, examine your negative thoughts and behaviors and form new, healthier ones.

  Family therapy can help resolve conflicts and allows family members learn more about the condition, its seriousness and how the family dynamic contributes to mental illnesses like anorexia. Family therapy is especially important if you are suffering from anorexia and still live at home with your family.

  Group therapy might be useful for you since it allows you to commiserate with people who understand what you are going through, but you must be careful with this type of therapy. It can sometimes exacerbate the condition or make you feel competitive with the others in the group.

Nutrition

• A nutritionist is usually part of your treatment team. She can formulate meal plans that provide sufficient calories to achieve weight goals that have been set. You might also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements to make up for deficiencies. Quality protein sources such as meat, eggs and vegetable protein or whey shakes can prevent muscle wasting. Avoid sugary junk foods like cookies, cakes and candies. Taking five to seven grams daily of creatine can help build muscle mass and prevent muscle weakness.

Natural Therapies

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the following natural therapies might be of benefit in dealing with anorexia. Discuss natural therapies with your doctor.

  Ashwagandha, a popular herb in traditional Indian medicine, is well known for reducing stress and improving overall well-being; take 450mg twice a day. Fenugreek encourages appetite; take 250 to 500mg three times a day. Milk thistle supports liver health; take 80 to 160mg three times a day. Cayenne pepper aids digestion; take 400mg three times a day.

  Hypnosis, as part of standard treatment, might improve body-image and strengthen coping abilities, which can lead to better eating and higher self-esteem. Finding ways to manage stress is also an important part of your recovery. This can help reduce stress-induced relapses. Experiment with practices such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing and positive visualization.