Written by:

Lee Spinks

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

September 30th, 2024

Anorexia

Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most well-known eating disorders and also one of the most destructive. Around 10% of all eating disorder cases involve anorexia, and it was a major contributor to the nearly 25,000 eating disorder hospitalisations in England between 2021 and 2022. While anorexia is often thought of as a physical condition, the reality is that it has deep roots in psychological and emotional struggles and understanding its complexities is crucial for providing effective support and treatment.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa, often called simply anorexia, is a serious condition where people are extremely afraid of gaining weight. This can cause them to hugely restrict how much they eat and to constantly try to lose weight even if they are already very thin.

Anorexia is recognised as a serious mental health condition in the DSM-5, (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) with these main features:

• Restriction of energy intake: This means eating so little that a person weighs much less than is healthy for their age, gender and overall health.
• Intense fear of gaining weight: Even though they are very thin, the person is still extremely afraid of gaining weight and does everything they can to avoid it.
• A distorted body image: This means that they see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously thin. Their body shape and weight heavily influence their self-esteem, and they often don’t realise how serious their low weight is.

Understanding these characteristics is very important for accurate anorexia diagnosis.

What are the different types of Anorexia?

There are two main types of Anorexia Nervosa with their symptoms helping during both anorexia diagnosis and treatment:

1. Restricting type anorexia

This is when the person hasn’t engaged in binge eating (eating a lot of food in a short time) or purging (getting rid of food by vomiting or using laxatives) in the last three months. Instead, they lose weight mainly by dieting, fasting or exercising too much.

2. Binge-eating/purging type anorexia

In the past three months, the person has had episodes of binge eating or purging. This is similar to Bulimia Nervosa except that Bulimia involves regular binge and purging behaviour.

There is also a third type which is seen less commonly:

3. Atypical anorexia

In atypical anorexia, a person has all the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, such as severe restriction of food intake and intense fear of gaining weight but their weight remains within or above the normal range.

What causes Anorexia?

Anorexia is a complex and deeply personal struggle and it is important to understand that it’s not just about wanting to be thin. Many different factors can contribute to the development of this disorder, including:

Biological factors

• Genetics: Sometimes, anorexia can run in families so if someone in your family has struggled with an eating disorder, you might be more likely to experience it too. It is important to understand that this isn’t your fault; it’s just the result of how our genetics can play a role in certain medical conditions.
• Brain chemistry: Our brains are incredibly complex, and sometimes the chemicals that affect our mood, stress and appetite can contribute to anorexia. This can make managing food and feelings even more challenging.

Psychological factors

• Personality traits: People who are perfectionists, who set very high standards for themselves or who tend to worry a lot might be more vulnerable to anorexia. These traits can make it hard to feel good about yourself and so you can begin to obsess about your appearance, even if you are not overweight.
• Low self-esteem: If you struggle with self-worth or feel unhappy with your body, these feelings can contribute to the development of anorexia.

Environmental factors

• Cultural pressure: We live in a society that often glorifies thinness and where we are constantly exposed to images of slim models and celebrities on social media. This can create unrealistic body standards and make you feel pressured to look a certain way.
• Stressful life events: Sometimes, life can throw really tough situations at us like losing a loved one, being bullied or dealing with high stress from school. These events can make us feel like we need to control something and for some, that control comes in the form of restricting food.
• Family environment: Families can be both a source of support and stress and if you grow up in a family that focuses a lot on dieting and appearance or experiences a lot of conflicts, it can increase the risk of developing anorexia.
• Peer pressure: Friends and social circles can have a big impact on how we see ourselves. If your friends are always talking about dieting or body image, it can create pressure to follow suit.

What are the risks of Anorexia?

Anorexia is a serious condition that can have many harmful effects on your health, relationships and future. Understanding these risks can help emphasise the importance of seeking help and support before things get really bad:

Physical anorexia symptoms

• Malnutrition: When your body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it can’t function properly. This can lead to severe weakness, fatigue and a compromised immune system, making it easier to get sick.
• Heart problems: Anorexia can cause the heart to weaken and develop various problems. These include a slower heart rate and low blood pressure, which can potentially lead to heart failure.
• Bone health: Not getting the right nutrition can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), making your bones brittle and increasing your chances of fractures.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Anorexia can cause imbalances in essential minerals like potassium, calcium and sodium. This can lead to dangerous conditions like irregular heartbeats or seizures.
• Muscle loss: Not consuming enough calories can cause muscle tissue, including heart muscle, to break down for energy.
• Digestive issues: Anorexia can slow down your digestive system, leading to constipation, bloating and stomach pain.
• Hormonal changes: Anorexia can disrupt hormone levels, causing issues like loss of menstrual periods in females and reduced testosterone levels in males. This can affect fertility and other bodily functions.
• Organ damage: Severe anorexia can cause damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and brain, potentially leading to long-term health issues and even fatal conditions.

Mental Anorexia symptoms

• Depression and anxiety: People with anorexia often struggle with these mental health issues and the intense fear of gaining weight and the stress of the condition can worsen symptoms enormously.
• Obsessive-compulsive behaviours: Anorexia can lead to obsessive behaviours around food, exercise and body image, which can take over your life.
• Anorexia and addiction: There is often a link between anorexia and addiction as some people may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the stress and emotional pain caused by the condition.

Personal Anorexia symptoms

• Impact on relationships: Anorexia can strain relationships with family and friends as your loved ones may struggle to understand the disorder, become frustrated with you and not know how to help.
• Social withdrawal: Anorexia can cause you to avoid your friends and family so they don’t see your eating habits or avoid social situations altogether, particularly those involving food.
• Academic or work performance: The physical and mental toll of anorexia can affect your school and job performance. This can have a massive impact on your well-being and future prospects.

How is Anorexia treated?

If you are struggling with anorexia, it is important to know that help is available and recovery is possible. Oasis Bradford’s sister centre, Banbury Lodge, provides UK-leading anorexia treatment programmes designed to help you heal both physically and emotionally.

Effective anorexia treatment combines medical care, nutritional counselling and rehab treatment. This is all provided on an inpatient basis where you will receive personalised meal plans, alongside therapy sessions and holistic healing approaches to address underlying emotional issues.

When you complete your time in anorexia treatment, we then offer free aftercare for a year with weekly group therapy sessions to ensure that you have all the help you need to stay on the path to recovery.

Take the first step towards a new life

If you or someone you know is struggling with anorexia, don’t hesitate to reach out. Recovery is a journey, and with the right support, it’s a journey you don’t have to face alone. Contact us today to learn more about our anorexia treatment programmes and start your path to healing.

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