Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, distorted body image, and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. This mental health condition affects millions of people worldwide, and it can have serious physical and emotional consequences if left untreated. At Serin Center, we offer comprehensive treatment programs that address the root causes of Anorexia Nervosa, helping our patients achieve long-term recovery and improved quality of life.

Our very own Dr. Amy Serin calls anorexia “an addiction of restriction,” meaning that the person with Anorexia can become obsessed with restricting what they eat and attempts to get them to eat are largely unsuccessful. This disorder is more common in teenage girls than in any other population, with the average onset around 15 years of age.

What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder that involves intense fear of weight gain, leading to abnormally low body weight. Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa often have a distorted body image, perceiving themselves as overweight, even when they are severely underweight. They may restrict food intake, engage in excessive exercise, and use other unhealthy behaviors to maintain low body weight.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition. People who are suffering from this condition may noticeably experience significant weight loss or low body weight. In rare cases of anorexia nervosa, the patient may still maintain a moderate weight, but the symptoms may manifest psychologically or behaviorally. 

Other than extreme weight loss, some of the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:

• Denial of hunger
• Fatigue and weakness
• Distorted body image
• Fear of gaining weight
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Rapid and dramatic weight loss
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
• Preoccupation with body shape and size
• Use of laxative, diuretic, or diet pills
• Obsession with food, calories, and dieting
• Obsession on exercising or doing workouts
• Having food rituals (e.g. arranging food on plate)
• Social withdrawal (especially during events with food)

Those who experience childhood trauma or display childhood traits of perfectionism, rigidity, or rule-bound behavior are at increased risk for developing this disorder (Sharan & Sundar, 2015).

Available Treatment Methods for Anorexia Nervosa at Serin Center

At Serin Center, we understand that Anorexia Nervosa is a complex mental health condition that requires comprehensive treatment to achieve lasting recovery. Both our Peoria and Scottsdale, AZ, clinics provide evidence-based treatment methods and programs that are designed to address the unique needs of each patient, offering a personalized approach to treatment that includes:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as Treatment for Anorexia - This type of therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) Therapy - This is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from symptoms and emotional distress.
• Neurofeedback Therapy for Eating Disorders - This is a type of biofeedback that presents real-time feedback from brain activity in order to reinforce healthy brain function through brain conditioning.

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious mental health condition that requires professional treatment to achieve lasting recovery. At Serin Center, we offer a variety of treatment methods and programs that address the unique needs of each patient, helping them overcome the challenges of Anorexia Nervosa and achieve an improved quality of life. If you or a loved one is struggling with Anorexia Nervosa, contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment options.

Sources:

• Morris, J., Twaddle, S. (2007). Anorexia nervosa. BMJ, 334(1599), 894-898. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39171.616840.BE
• Sharan, P., & Sundar, A. S. (2015). Eating disorders in women. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(Suppl 2), S286–S295. http://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.161493
• Anorexia nervosa: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment (no date) WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/mental-health-anorexia-nervosa (Accessed: 27 July 2023).