Anorexia nervosa is one of the key eating disorders. All the eating disorders tend to have more in common that they have differences.  The features common to all eating disorders include (a) that the affected person places a huge influence on their appearnce, especially controlling their weight and shape and (b) the person engages in efforts to control their eating and shape or weight but (c) this causes significant problems.  The affected person often denies or even can’t see the seriousness of these problems.

In addition to these core features of any eating disorder, the features specific to anorexia nervosa are excessive fear of weight gain andvery low weight. The dieting behaviours include restricting type or amount of food, exercise (can be secretive), vomiting food, laxative use, diet pills and generally following rules that the person beleives will help them stay in control.

In Australia, girls are more than 10 times more likely than boys to develop anorexia nervosa. The most common ages of onset are 14 to 17 years old but it can vary. The most common pathway into anorexia nervosa is when the person already is quite anxious, perfectionistic and obsessional and then they decide to diet. Having dieting in the family and having a low self-esteem are also known risk factors. However, there are no clear ’causes’ of anorexia.

 

Common problems that come from the dieting behaviours include:

• Physical changes (women often lose their period; osteoporosis; bad hair, skin and nails; poor temperature regulation
• Developmental effects in kids (stunted growth; absence of menstrual periods; emotional and social stagnation)
• Emotional changes (mood swings; increased irritability; increased anxiety)
• Personality changes (more particular and perfectionistic; less flexible in thinking style)
• Cognitive or mental faculties (slowed thinking; impaired concentration; inflexible thinking style; poor problem-solving and decision-making)

 

Treatments

We offer specialist treatment in all three locations, with clinical psychologists trained in the main modes of therapy that reasearch informs us to be effective.

Sometimes, if a person is medically compromised or if they cannot get better with psychologivcal treatment out of hospital, they will need a stay in hospital to get treatment going. There are hospitals that specialise in eating disorders and these depend on your age, location and access to private health insurance.  Please call the practice (02 98911766) in work hours to speak with Chris, Cindy or Jody to ask about whether you should be thinking about hospital treatment.

There are several psychological treatments that have been shown to work. For adolescents, the main and first-line treatment is Maudsley Family Based Treatment.  You can read more about Maudsley Family Based Treatment here.  For older people and for those who can’t do the FBT approach, we use individual psychological therapies, including cognitive-behaviour therapy and specialist supportive counselling. It is sometimes very helpful to consult a dietitian and your GP or we can help arrange for a recommendation.

Eating disorders are dangerous, so it is important to act quickly. Read more here.