Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, most often characterized by extreme food restriction, inappropriate eating habits, obsession with weight and figure, as well as an irrational fear of gaining weight. Although the disease has an extreme physical manifestation, the root causes of anorexia is psychological. This can include depression, distorted self-image & a desire for extreme control.
Symptoms & signs of anorexia nervosa
Emotional Symptoms:
- Extreme mood swings
- Obsession with meeting a certain goal weight, size, or visual standard (For example, the ability to count your ribs or have your hip bones protrude through your clothes)
- Body dysmorphia
- An obsession with food and/or counting calories
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Strong need for control and/or feeling of lack of control over aspects of your life
- Feelings of inadequacy in one or more areas of your life
- Denial of any eating issues
- Prefers to eat alone
- Feeling the need to hide your low calorie intake (saying you’ve eaten more than you actually have) or to hide your figure in large baggy clothes or multiple layers.
- Extremely committed to exercise regimen
Physical Symptoms:
- Extremely weight loss/ low weight
- Lanugo – fine hairs that cover the body
- Fatigue
- Swollen joints and cheeks
- Amenorrhea – lack of menstrual periods
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Gastrointestinal concerns such as gas, cramping, heartburn, etc.
- Dizziness or fainting
- Dental concerns (cavities or enamel erosion from excessive vomiting)
- Sleep disturbances
When is it time to seek help?
Anorexia nervosa is a very serious disorder that can, and has, lead to death if not treated. If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of anorexia or suspect someone you know is – it’s important to seek support as soon as possible.
Anorexia nervosa treatment methods
The exact treatments depend on the person with anorexia nervosa, and an assessment will be completed before those treatments can be chosen. Some treatments that have been successful in treating anorexia nervosa include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is defined by EMDR Canada as an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma and many other mental health problems that utilized bilateral eye stimulation or somatic responding.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a treatment method that’s similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) but emphasizes building skills to manage stress, emotional response and regulation, mental health issues, and the psycho-social aspects of relationship building.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages clients to accept the difficulties and misfortunes of life. Clients learn coping techniques to not dwell on negative emotions by staying in the present.
- Behaviour Therapy tends to view human beings and behaviour with the assumption that humans are a product of their sociocultural conditioning and environment, looking at the current problems and the factors influencing them and emphasizes behaviour changes more than the underlying unconscious processes.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy is based on observations and experience, which looks at emotions and emotional intelligence, which helps support stronger and more secure relationships by helping better understand how our actions impact others, and how our emotions drive our interaction.
What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?
Severing the chains that anorexia nervosa puts on your physical and psychological wellbeing is the goal of treatment. Our aim is to help you to gain control over your thoughts, feelings, and your life. To be rid of the anxiety, grief, trauma, and or depression where anorexia nervosa sprouts from will help you to have a healthy and more fulfilling life. An experienced therapist with Insight Psychological will work with you, and any of your loved ones, to support you as you work through this challenge.
We understand it takes courage to make that first step (or maybe its your 10th time trying) but we are here to help. Please call us today to make an appointment to get started.
