Anorexia nervosa is an extreme, yet common, eating disorder. This is a medical condition that greatly interferes with one’s normal eating habits. The person who has anorexia is overcome by a fear of eating because they are afraid of becoming fat. People who have this condition can become dangerously thin and emaciated to the point of it becoming deadly. This is one of the most common eating disorders in America. Bulimia Nervosa is another common eating disorder and should not be confused with anorexia. The majority of the people who develop this condition are women. In fact, 90% of anorexia patients are women or young girls. The condition centers on body image and wrongly perceived self images of being fat. This condition can run in families and brain chemistry may play an important role. The exact cause and cure is not yet known.
Anorexia treatment can be complex and with extreme cases it is usually done on an impatient basis at a medical clinic. Such a clinical setting for anorexia treatment is recommended by medical doctors so that extreme cases can be monitored and the patient can remain under medical supervision. Anorexia treatment in a hospital or clinic can include using feeding tubes to give the patient the nutrition that they need if they refuse to eat food. Anorexia treatment is also coupled with psychotherapy to help find the underlying cause. Medications can not cure anorexia. However, sometimes medications like anti-depressants are used, especially for people with severe depression that can be associated with anorexia.
When the patient is receiving anorexia treatment the doctors will work to help restore them to a normal healthy weight. Psychological issues are addressed and behaviors that or thoughts the person are helped to be eliminated. There is always a concern for a relapse for anyone who is being treated for anorexia. Hospitalizing the patient to prevent starvation is often required in anorexia treatment. Suicide intervention may also be needed for emotional crises as well. If the patient is mildly anorexic they may receive anorexia treatment on an outpatient basis. Outpatient anorexia treatment is only available for those who are not in imminent danger from their condition.
A lot of the time anorexia treatment has to be administered against the person’s when they are in immediate danger of starvation. Again, the person must be given immediate nutritional support via IV feedings. Then the psychological issues can be treated. The person is given counseling and undergoes therapy. They are also taught about proper are often referred to a dietician that can teach them about healthy and proper preparation of meals. A meal plan may be prescribed to help ensure the patient eats enough calories to remain in health. The goal of anorexia treatment is to get the person back to a normal weight so that they have a greater chance for a complete and total recovery.
There are different kinds of counseling treatments the patient can receive such as cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, family therapy and group therapy. Such therapies are critical in the treatment for anorexia. If you know someone who has anorexia you should try to encourage them to seek treatment for their condition as soon as possible. Most patients are in denial and will resist your efforts so try to be supportive and let them know you care about them. You should never make negative remarks about their body or your own body, especially around someone who has anorexia. Positive family support and feedback is needed for anyone who is being treated for anorexia. As a family member you can get advice from a health care professional about how to help someone in your family who is suffering from this potentially deadly medical condition. A health care professional can also inform you on other things you need to avoid doing when a family member is being treated for anorexia.
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