Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with anorexia nervosa need treatment and there are a number of treatments used for Anorexia Nervosa.

Treatments for Anorexia nervosa starts mostly seeing a health professional.

Treatments for Anorexia nervosa must have regular counseling sessions as well as a hospital stay maybe needed for people who are seriously underweight or have medical problems. Treatments for Anorexia nervosa has a few goals.

These goals includes treating medical problems first and then restore a healthy weight and healthy eating habits.

There are a number of treatments used for anorexia nervosa. But for the young girls or adolescents with anorexia, family involvement is a key part of treatment.

Family therapy is needed for parents to support their child, both physically and emotionally. Any sisters or brothers also should support during treatment.

Group, family, and individual counseling are all effective and are often combined.

There are factors that determine the necessary treatments:

- How long the individual has had Anorexia Nervosa?
- Weight and overall medical condition
- Previous treatments
- The persons age
- Other psychological symptoms, like personality problems, problems controlling impulses or depression.

Treatment for anorexia usually includes:

  • Psychotherapy, psychological counseling. A counselor will help to develop a plan to use new coping and stress management skills and prevent relapse. The counselor can help at though times when it is hard to stick to healthy ways of thinking about food and weight.
  • Medication, medical treatment. A health professional will follow the individuals health and weight, because anorexia affects all organ systems in body. If needed, the individual will be treated for conditions such as osteoporosis, depression or heart problems.

  • Nutritional counseling. A registered dietitian will help to take charge of eating and gaining weight in a healthy way. The dietitian will help to adjust what to eat along with changing health needs.