.png)
Anorexia nervosa: causes, symptoms and treatments
Private treatment, support and therapy for anorexia nervosa at Schoen Clinic
Anorexia Nervosa is a severe mental health condition marked by extreme weight control through restricted eating and excessive exercise. Those with anorexia often have a distorted body image, seeing themselves as overweight despite being underweight.
Early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term health issues like hair loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression. Anorexia can also lead to social isolation due to the avoidance of food-related situations.
If you or a loved one shows signs of anorexia, seek professional help promptly. Early treatment significantly enhances the chances of recovery.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa
Signs of anorexia often appear during adolescence, making early intervention crucial. Anorexia nervosa has two subtypes: restrictive, marked by severe food restriction, and binge-purge, involving excessive eating followed by purging.
Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among mental disorders, highlighting the need for early treatment. Key indicators include significant weight loss and deteriorating physical and emotional health. Without proper nutrition, various health issues arise.
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa shares symptoms with typical anorexia but occurs in individuals with normal or above-normal weight while still experiencing the same psychological and behavioural symptoms as those with typical anorexia.
Many misconceptions exist about eating disorders, which can contribute to stigma and delays in seeking help. Our guide on common misconceptions about eating disorders can help clarify these misunderstandings and provide better insight into the condition.
Let’s look at some of those symptoms below.
Psychological symptoms of anorexia
Fear of reaching a normal weight, or of putting on weight at all
Feelings of depression, such as low mood, irritability, and social isolation
Preoccupation or obsession with food
Body image disturbance and fixation
Difficulty concentrating
Mood swings
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Behavioural symptoms of anorexia
Limiting the amount and/or type of food eaten
Self-induced vomiting
Use of appetite suppressant pills or laxatives
Excessive/driven exercise
Loss of libido
Wearing baggy clothing to hide figure
Avoidance of social activities
Physical symptoms of anorexia
Low body weight
Loss of menstruation (periods) in females
Coldness due to poor circulation, particularly in hands and feet
Abdominal pain
Bloating, constipation
Fatigue and trouble sleeping
Dizziness or fainting
Thin hair that may fall out
Fine hair appearing on the body
What causes anorexia?
There is no single cause of anorexia, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing the condition. These include genetic vulnerability, such as a family history of eating disorders or other mental health issues, societal or job pressure to look a certain way, experiences of trauma like abuse, traits of anxiety, obsession, or perfectionism, and criticism about food, weight, or appearance (e.g., bullying).
Hearing negative comments about one’s body can have a lasting impact—watch this video where young people share their experiences with eating disorders and how they found their way to recovery.
Get in touch today for highly specialised support for anorexia
If you're looking for highly specialised support or treatment for anorexia, we have specialists across Schoen Clinic UK Group who can help. Please don't hesitate to contact our caring team today.
How much does anorexia treatment cost?
The cost of different types of treatment, therapy or support will vary. See our full breakdown of our prices and funding options for more information or specific costs.
Personalised Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa at Schoen Clinic
At Schoen Clinic, we specialise in helping patients with anorexia nervosa regain physical health, improve their relationship with food, and address the underlying psychological factors contributing to their condition. Our multidisciplinary approach includes medical, nutritional, and psychological support tailored to each individual's needs.
Comprehensive medical & nutritional support
Anorexia can have serious physical health consequences, which is why we begin treatment with thorough medical assessments to identify and manage any co-existing health conditions, including those affecting the heart, digestive system, and bone health. We also provide specialist private nutritional support in London to help patients develop a balanced, sustainable approach to eating. Our nutritional strategies are designed to:
Help patients overcome their fear of food
Encourage eating a variety of foods with different calorie densities
Establish regular meal patterns to support gradual weight restoration
Evidence-based therapies for anorexia
Effective anorexia treatment goes beyond weight restoration—it requires addressing the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that maintain the disorder. At Schoen Clinic, we offer a range of evidence-based therapies, including:
MANTRA (Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults) – A structured, individualised therapy designed specifically for adults with anorexia, focusing on motivation, emotional regulation, and social factors influencing the illness.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns related to food, weight, and self-image.
Family-Based Therapy (FBT) – Equips family members with the skills to support a loved one’s recovery, particularly useful for adolescents with anorexia.
Holistic & practical support
Anorexia affects daily life, making it essential to build skills that support long-term recovery. Our occupational therapy for mental health focuses on improving independence and confidence in real-world settings, helping individuals manage tasks such as meal planning, shopping, and social eating.
We also work closely with families, guiding them on how to supervise meals effectively and provide the right emotional support. Addressing body image concerns is another vital aspect of recovery, as improving self-perception can take time even after physical health stabilises.
A personalised path to recovery
Every patient at Schoen Clinic receives a personalised treatment plan, setting realistic goals and ensuring continuous support throughout their recovery journey. We understand that progress can take time, but with the right combination of medical care, therapy, and nutritional support, lasting recovery is possible.
If you or a loved one needs help with anorexia, contact Schoen Clinic today to learn more about our specialist treatment options.
Outpatient Anorexia Treatment
Our outpatient anorexia treatment offers flexible, personalised care. This comprehensive approach includes evidence-based therapies, nutritional counselling, and medical monitoring to support long-term health and wellbeing. We employ cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and family-based treatment (FBT) to help patients develop healthier attitudes towards food, body image, and self-esteem.
Available at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our outpatient services are designed to empower individuals to reclaim control over their lives.
Inpatient Anorexia Treatment
For more severe cases, Schoen Clinic offers inpatient treatment in a structured, supportive environment. Our multidisciplinary team provides round-the-clock care to address the physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects of anorexia. Patients receive personalised treatment plans developed by psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, and medical doctors.
Inpatient anorexia treatment is available for individuals aged 18 and above at Schoen Clinic York.
Daycare Anorexia Treatment
Our daycare programmes offer a balance of therapeutic support and independence for individuals who can return home each evening. These programmes supports sustainable recovery while allowing individuals to maintain their daily routines and connections.
Daycare anorexia treatment is available for individuals aged 18 and above at Schoen Clinic York.
Private Short-Stay Anorexia Support
Schoen Clinic also offers private short-stay anorexia support for those needing focused care during critical recovery periods. These short-stay programmes provide respite, early intervention, and support for those at risk of relapse. Patients can step away from daily stressors to immerse themselves in therapeutic interventions and self-care activities.
Short-stay support is available for adults aged 18 and above at Schoen Clinic York.
At Schoen Clinic, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to support every individual’s unique journey to recovery from anorexia nervosa.
How to help someone with anorexia
At Schoen Clinic, we understand that anorexia is a complex condition affecting health and wellbeing. Our goal is to explore the feelings, thoughts, and actions contributing to anorexia, helping restore quality of life and self-perception for the best chance of anorexia recovery.
Comprehensive Anorexia Treatment
Understanding how to support someone with anorexia is essential for effective treatment. We provide specialised treatment options tailored to the unique needs of each person, including child anorexia treatment and anorexia in men. Our services include inpatient, outpatient, daycare, and short-stay support, addressing the specific challenges of female and male anorexia.
When to Seek Help
It's crucial to seek help for anorexia if you or a loved one is experiencing significant weight loss, a very low anorexia BMI, or difficulty maintaining a healthy relationship with food.
Early intervention is key to recovery. Ensuring treatment meets the highest standards is also important—learn more about the NICE guidelines for eating disorder care and how they shape effective treatment approaches.
Holistic and Compassionate Care
At Schoen Clinic, we believe in holistic, evidence-based treatments that integrate medical, nutritional, and therapeutic interventions. Our multidisciplinary team offers compassionate, collaborative care to help you reclaim your life and sense of self-worth.
For tailored, comprehensive anorexia treatment, contact Schoen Clinic. Together, we can navigate the path to anorexia recovery and overall better wellbeing.
Meet our anorexia specialists
Adults at Schoen Clinic York receive comprehensive anorexia treatment and care from our specialised multidisciplinary team.
For outpatient appointments in London, visit our private clinic at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. Our dedicated specialists are ready to help. Learn more about our team or email us to book an appointment today.
