Treatment for Anorexia

Treatment is directed to get an affected individual increase the body weight. The greatest difficulty in treating anorexics is to get to understand that they have an eating disorder. Most individuals who are anorexic do not accept this and deny that they have a health problem. Hence before treatment is started, individuals are at fairly advanced stage of the problem and complications arising out of it, need specific treatments.

Often a hospital stay for an anorexic may be necessary if the weight is below 70% the minimum weight. Severe malnutrition can be fatal if not treated immediately. Most individuals also tend to be depressed and have suicidal thoughts. Therefore they are also treated for depression.

In addition to medical treatment, a patient of anorexia is also given cognitive and behavioral therapy so as to change the attitude. Healthy living is emphasized through such sessions, in order to reduce the chances of occurrence after treatment.