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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.
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, criticism about food, weight, or appearance (e.g., bullying), and childhood anxiety.
Get in touch today for highly specialised support for anorexia
If you're looking for highly specialised support or treatment for anorexia, please reach out to our team.
We have a dedicated hospital for children and teens with anorexia in Birmingham, a specialised hospital for adults with anorexia in York and a mental health and wellbeing clinic in London offering anorexia support for most ages.
Email our caring team today to get started.
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.
Highly specialised anorexia treatment
At Schoen Clinic, we specialise in helping patients with anorexia nervosa gain weight and manage eating behaviours. Our approach includes thorough medical assessments to address any co-existing physical or mental health issues. We provide nutritional strategies that help patients overcome their fear of food, encouraging them to eat a variety of foods with different calorie densities at regular intervals.
Our therapies also involve family support, guiding families on how to supervise meals effectively. Addressing body dissatisfaction is as crucial as managing weight and eating habits, even if these changes take time. We work closely with patients to set goals and create personalised treatment plans, ensuring they stay motivated and engaged throughout their recovery journey.
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 child anorexia treatment is available at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults 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 children and teens at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults 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 children and teens at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults 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.
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
Children, teens, and adults at Schoen Clinic Newbridge or Schoen Clinic York receive comprehensive 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.
