ANOREXIA NERVOSA TREATMENT, RECOVERY & HELP

Anorexia Nervosa is a condition in which someone strives to attain a low body weight by avoiding food or certain food groups which are considered fattening. Weight loss is highly valued, and other features of the illness include excessive exercise, poor sleeping, low mood and retreating from social interactions.

Anorexics believe that they are fat even when they are very thin. 

They may also binge eat and purge with vomiting or laxatives.

There are many stages of the illness and a sufferer can stay in

one stage or move between them over time:

• A weight loss stage which is very worrying for parents & other loved ones
• A very low weight stage that may persist for many years
• A recovery stage with a difficult struggle to overcome the anorexia, gain a normal body weight & eat a normal diet
• Anorexia sufferers often deny that there is a problem in nearly
  all of the various stages

Recovery Aims

The aim of treatment for anorexia & recovery is to build a good and trustful relationship between the anorexic and their therapist who fully understands the illness and its insistent demands on the sufferer. With this trust we will help someone accept and recognise the nature of their illness, achieve a normal happy relationship with food and with themselves; have a more realistic body image, and master the anorexic thoughts and feelings that drive them to lose weight and eat a poor unhealthy diet. There is a further aim to help and support the carers so that they can effectively help their loved one to conquer the anorexia.

Anorexia treatment is much more than eating well and restoration of a healthier body weight. It targets some of the underlying issues which have allowed the anorexia to creep in and take over your life.   We may or may not need to deal with old unhappy events. But therapy generally looks forward and we will help you build a deep sense of coping and self confidence, new skills to deal with powerful feelings, and new flexible options for dealing with life events without needing to turn to old harmful strategies which give you the illusion of being in control.

Anorexia is treatable even with a long history of problems with food.

Recommended Therapy / Treatment Pathway

Treatment for anorexia is very dependent on the stage and history of the problem. This is a complex illness for which there is no quick fix but the right treatment with a specialist counsellor can make a big difference to the chance of recovery. A good recovery programme will include:  

• An assessment with an NCFED counsellor/therapist to discuss in full the current situation and history
• A  Carers Consultation and short course of counselling if the person with anorexia is unwilling to accept help
• A thorough health check and risk assessment
• Co-ordination with appropriate health professionals such as the GP
• Nutritional guidance which is suitable for the degree of starvation with the help of a specialist  dietician- firstly to deal with any medical emergencies and then to assist with weight change in a  gentle non-invasive programme
• Help to foster and maintain motivation to change
• Setting realistic targets for weight and eating
• Skills for managing stress
• Ongoing psychological work on emotional strengthening, coping skills and managing relationships
• Work on unhelpful thinking, food obsessions, body image and self esteem
• In case of emergencies we would advise a short stay in a suitable residential setting. This is needed only for very few people
• Attending short therapy workshops or self help is useful for some people
• Work with carers is a very important part of treatment, to teach carers how to support their loved one and how to overcome resistance to change

A single, no obligation assessment consultation with a specialist eating disorders counsellor is the best way for you to understand why you have developed an eating disorder and what can be done for you personally. You can decide about ongoing treatment and move towards recovery.

YES!   I would like An Assessment NOW                                 

National Centre for Eating Disorders