Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is characterized in the DSM V as a refusal to maintain a normal body weight through dietary restriction and compensatory behaviors.
Please note that normal body weight does not mean a weight that meets Body Mass Index (BMI) standards. Instead, it means efforts to maintain a weight that is not biologically appropriate and leads to medical symptoms of starvation.
These efforts include:
- Energy restriction
- Over exercise
- Purging or laxative abuse
Think you may be suffering from Anorexia?
How does Anorexia Nervosa impact an individual's life?
Anorexia Nervosa can have dire consequences on a person’s physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.
Mental Impact of Anorexia:
- Decreased cognitive functioning
- Decreased concentration
- Blurry vision
- Feeling faint and weak
- Difficulty retaining information
- Aggravated sleep
Emotional Impact of Anorexia:
- Depressed mood
- Extreme mood shifts
- Isolation
- Shame
- Hopelessness
Physical Impact of Anorexia:
- Amenorrhea
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Low blood pressure
- Osteopenia/osteoporosis
- Low body temperature
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa
Re-feeding
The most crucial aspect of treating Anorexia is re-feeding, which can be approached in different ways depending on the individual’s age, available support, and ability to follow nutritional guidance.
Our dietitians specialize in working with families of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa through Family-Based Treatment (FBT). One advantage of offering our services virtually is that we can observe family dynamics around food directly in the home environment, rather than in a clinical setting. This also makes FBT more convenient, as all family members can participate from home.
In addition, we provide virtual individual nutrition counseling for eating disorder recovery. Our dietitians at Fueling for Recovery use a collaborative and exploratory approach to support you in re-feeding and restoring your physical and mental health.
Understanding your eating disorder
Once the brain and body begin to be renourished, a client may experience more clarity in separating themselves from their eating disorder, allowing them to recognize thoughts, urges and emotions that may contribute to disordered behaviors.
Our sessions allow individuals to identify and explore where they may get hooked on uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, leading to difficulty pursuing actions aligned with recovery.
Maintaining behaviors aligned with your recovery
At Fueling for Recovery, we offer virtual nutrition services and collaborate with professionals all over the country to help individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa truly heal from their eating disorder.
The goal of treatment goes beyond physical recovery. We aim to help you build a relationship with food that isn’t defined by being consumed by your eating disorder or focused solely on recovery. Instead, we work to guide you in understanding your eating disorder, recognizing your vulnerabilities, and fostering trust in your own intuition. This way, you can create a healthier, more balanced relationship with both food and your body.
Contact us to learn more about our treatment approaches and how we can help you!
