It is important to continually and accurately assess for Anorexia both medically and psychologically.
Anorexia is a highly dangerous disease that leads to starvation and death.
Medical assessments are very important given that multiple physical ailments can occur with Anorexia. Several ailments include, but are not limited to- gastrointestinal problems, endocrine abnormalities, dermatological problems, and reproductive problems. With Anorexia, clients may complain of brittle nails or hair, clients may also appear to have dry or yellowed skin.
Psychologically speaking, when assessing for Anorexia, it may be common to discover an additional disorder is present. Such disorders include, but are not limited to- severe depression, anxiety or anxiety related disorders, obsessive compulsive behavior, and substance abuse.
Given that Anorexia is such a rare disease, there is less research on treatment modalities than there are in other disorders. People suffering from Anorexia often are in denial of their disease and truly view themselves as “fat”.
What has been proven is that once motivation has been reached to stay engaged in treatment and to restore weight, results can show. While up to fifty percent of clients may relapse and continue to suffer from Anorexia, many live healthy lives.
Treatment can consist of dietary regimens, tube feeding, pharmacotherapy, and psychological treatment including individual, group, and family therapy.
If you know someone who has one or several of these symptoms, please encourage them to seek help. If you would like more information on Anorexia, please visit http://www.therapeuticbenefits.com/ for resources and to schedule a free phone consultation.
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