Anorexia Nervosa Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
Anorexia nervosa – oftentimes simply called anorexia – is a serious medical and mental health condition that can be life-threatening without treatment.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses. Due to its complexity, this condition requires comprehensive anorexia treatment from experienced eating disorder experts. Here at Eating Recovery Center (ERC), we offer a multidisciplinary treatment approach including medical and psychiatric stabilization, nutritional intervention and psychological support.
Symptoms & Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa
One of the most common misconceptions about anorexia nervosa is that sufferers are underweight, which is not always the case. In many instances, a patient with anorexia may appear to be healthy when they are malnourished. That’s why it’s important to understand all the warning signs and symptoms of anorexia.
Medical Symptoms of Anorexia
Low weight
Weight at or below 85 percent of Ideal Body Weight (IBW) for age
Dramatic weight Loss
Significant/dramatic decrease in normal growth chart curve for weight
Exercise
Excessive or compulsive exercise
Lack of menses
Absence of or delayed onset of or sporadic/light menses
Physical
Fatigue, cold-intolerance, dizziness and/or hair thinning/loss
Behavioral Warning Signs of Anorexia
Extreme weight loss
Calorie restriction
Food obsession
Fear of weight gain
Strange eating habits or food rituals
Denial of hunger or weight loss
Compulsive exercising
What Causes Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia is a bio-psycho-social illness, meaning that biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects contribute to the development of the illness. This means that anorexia – or any eating disorder, for that matter – is not a choice. There are clear causes of anorexia that individuals need to be aware of.
Anorexia Nervosa Health Risks
The most serious health risk of anorexia is an increased mortality rate. Other health risks associated with anorexia are also very serious, including:
- Cardiac complications (ranging from irregular heart rhythms to heart failure)
- Heart, kidney and liver failure
- Bone loss/osteoporosis
- Anemia
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Low blood sugar
- Constipation, bloating and other gastrointestinal issues
- Amenorrhea (loss of menses in women)
- Fertility challenges
- Low testosterone (in males)
- Suicide
Get Help at Our Anorexia Treatment Center
If you or someone you know is struggling with anorexia, we urge you to seek help immediately. Professional anorexia treatment offers individuals the best chance for a full and complete recovery.
Types of Treatment at ERC
At Eating Recovery Center, we specialize in treatment for anorexia by providing medical and psychiatric stabilization, including nutrition, rest, medication and management of co-occurring conditions.
Our anorexia treatment is available in Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient levels of care. We also offer virtual care for patients who are eligible. ERC is the nation's only health care system dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders at all levels of care.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment for anorexia is customized to support adults and adolescents that are acutely ill, experiencing medical and mood instability due to their condition.
Residential Treatment
The residential program offers medically stable patients a highly structured and supportive 24-hour environment for care.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Treatment
Our PHP anorexia treatment program offers the same treatment found in our residential program, while allowing patients to practice recovery outside the controlled environment after hours at home or a peer-supported apartment.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
The IOP anorexia treatment program is a flexible option for those who work, go to school or care for loved ones during the day.
Is recovery from anorexia nervosa possible?
With proper treatment, a full and lasting recovery from anorexia is possible. If you think that you or a loved one might need help, please take our short anorexia self-assessment test or call us at 877-825-8584 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an Eating Recovery Center Masters-level clinician.
Eating Recovery Center is the nation’s only vertically integrated healthcare system dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders, like anorexia, at all levels of care. ERC’s anorexia treatment center includes inpatient treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization treatment and intensive outpatient treatment.
Anorexia FAQ/More Information
What is anorexia nervosa?
Although research about anorexia nervosa is ongoing, there is a lot you can learn about this eating disorder to understand how to get help for yourself or how to help a loved one.
Learn more about anorexia, including the causes, symptoms and available treatment options.
What causes anorexia?
As with other eating disorders, anorexia has no single cause. However, research suggests that eating disorders stem from a variety of genetic, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Learn more about the factors that contribute to anorexia here.
What are the symptoms of anorexia?
Anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses. It is crucial to understand the warning signs and symptoms of this complex condition.
Learn about the signs and symptoms of anorexia here.
What are the health risks associated with anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious and sometimes fatal condition that can affect nearly every system of the body. There are many short-term and long-term health risks associated with anorexia nervosa.
Learn about anorexia health risks today.
How is anorexia treated?
Anorexia treatment is personalized, depending on each patient’s needs. Medical stabilization, psychiatric stabilization, nutritional rehabilitation, and weight restoration (when appropriate) are all considered when determining a patient’s treatment plan.
Learn more about anorexia treatment options here.
What are the facts about anorexia?
A devastating illness that often requires intensive treatment, anorexia takes the lives of far too many people each year.
Discover anorexia facts and statistics here.
Do I have anorexia?
If you or a loved one struggle with some of the symptoms described here, we can help you explore anorexia treatment options.
Reviewed by
Allison Chase, PhD, CEDS-S
Dr. Allison Chase is the Regional Clinical Director for Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center in the Texas Region. Her areas of specialization include child and adolescent…
