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Anorexia nervosa: causes, symptoms and treatments

Private treatment, support and therapy for anorexia nervosa at Schoen Clinic

woman in a therapy session looking sad

Anorexia Nervosa is a severe mental health condition marked by extreme weight control through restricted eating and excessive exercise. Those with anorexia often have a distorted body image, seeing themselves as overweight despite being underweight.

Early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term health issues like hair loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression. Anorexia can also lead to social isolation due to the avoidance of food-related situations.

If you or a loved one shows signs of anorexia, seek professional help promptly. Early treatment significantly enhances the chances of recovery.

Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa


Signs of anorexia often appear during adolescence, making early intervention crucial. Anorexia nervosa has two subtypes: restrictive, marked by severe food restriction, and binge-purge, involving excessive eating followed by purging.


Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among mental disorders, highlighting the need for early treatment. Key indicators include significant weight loss and deteriorating physical and emotional health. Without proper nutrition, various health issues arise.


Atypical Anorexia Nervosa shares symptoms with typical anorexia but occurs in individuals with normal or above-normal weight while still experiencing the same psychological and behavioural symptoms as those with typical anorexia.


Let’s look at some of those symptoms below.


Psychological symptoms of anorexia


  • Fear of reaching a normal weight, or of putting on weight at all

  • Feelings of depression, such as low mood, irritability; and social isolation

  • Preoccupation or obsession with food

  • Body image disturbance and fixation

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Mood swings

  • Anxiety

  • Low self-esteem



Behavioural symptoms of anorexia


  • Limiting the amount and/or type of food eaten

  • Self-induced vomiting

  • Use of appetite suppressant pills or laxatives

  • Excessive/driven exercise

  • Loss of libido

  • Wearing baggy clothing to hide figure

  • Avoidance of social activities



Physical symptoms of anorexia


  • Low body weight

  • Loss of menstruation (periods) in females

  • Coldness due to poor circulation, particularly in hands and feet

  • Abdominal pain

  • Bloating, constipation

  • Fatigue and trouble sleeping

  • Dizziness or fainting

  • Thin hair that may fall out

  • Fine hair appearing on the body


What causes anorexia?


There is no single cause of anorexia, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing the condition. These include genetic vulnerability, such as a family history of eating disorders or other mental health issues, societal or job pressure to look a certain way, experiences of trauma like abuse, traits of anxiety, obsession, or perfectionism, criticism about food, weight, or appearance (e.g., bullying), and childhood anxiety.

Get in touch today for highly specialised support for anorexia


If you're looking for highly specialised support or treatment for anorexia, we have specialists across Schoen Clinic UK Group who can help. Please don't hesitate to contact our caring team today.


How much does anorexia treatment cost?


The cost of different types of treatment, therapy or support will vary. See our full breakdown of our prices and funding options for more information or specific costs.

Highly specialised anorexia treatment


At Schoen Clinic, we specialise in helping patients with anorexia nervosa gain weight and manage eating behaviours. Our approach includes thorough medical assessments to address any co-existing physical or mental health issues. We provide nutritional strategies that help patients overcome their fear of food, encouraging them to eat a variety of foods with different calorie densities at regular intervals.


Our therapies also involve family support, guiding families on how to supervise meals effectively. Addressing body dissatisfaction is as crucial as managing weight and eating habits, even if these changes take time. We work closely with patients to set goals and create personalised treatment plans, ensuring they stay motivated and engaged throughout their recovery journey.


Outpatient Anorexia Treatment


Our outpatient anorexia treatment offers flexible, personalised care. This comprehensive approach includes evidence-based therapies, nutritional counselling, and medical monitoring to support long-term health and wellbeing. We employ cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and family-based treatment (FBT) to help patients develop healthier attitudes towards food, body image, and self-esteem. Available at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our outpatient services are designed to empower individuals to reclaim control over their lives.


Inpatient Anorexia Treatment


For more severe cases, Schoen Clinic offers inpatient treatment in a structured, supportive environment. Our multidisciplinary team provides round-the-clock care to address the physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects of anorexia. Patients receive personalised treatment plans developed by psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, and medical doctors. Inpatient child anorexia treatment is available at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults at Schoen Clinic York.


Daycare Anorexia Treatment


Our daycare programmes offer a balance of therapeutic support and independence for individuals who can return home each evening. These programmes supports sustainable recovery while allowing individuals to maintain their daily routines and connections. Daycare anorexia treatment is available for children and teens at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults at Schoen Clinic York.


Private Short-Stay Anorexia Support


Schoen Clinic also offers private short-stay anorexia support for those needing focused care during critical recovery periods. These short-stay programmes provide respite, early intervention, and support for those at risk of relapse. Patients can step away from daily stressors to immerse themselves in therapeutic interventions and self-care activities. Short-stay support is available for children and teens at Schoen Clinic Newbridge, and for adults at Schoen Clinic York.


At Schoen Clinic, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to support every individual’s unique journey to recovery from anorexia nervosa.

How to help someone with anorexia


At Schoen Clinic, we understand that anorexia is a complex condition affecting health and wellbeing. Our goal is to explore the feelings, thoughts, and actions contributing to anorexia, helping restore quality of life and self-perception for the best chance of anorexia recovery.


Comprehensive Anorexia Treatment


Understanding how to support someone with anorexia is essential for effective treatment. We provide specialised treatment options tailored to the unique needs of each person, including child anorexia treatment and anorexia in men. Our services include inpatient, outpatient, daycare, and short-stay support, addressing the specific challenges of female and male anorexia.


When to Seek Help


It's crucial to seek help for anorexia if you or a loved one is experiencing significant weight loss, a very low anorexia BMI, or difficulty maintaining a healthy relationship with food. Early intervention is key to recovery.


Holistic and Compassionate Care


At Schoen Clinic, we believe in holistic, evidence-based treatments that integrate medical, nutritional, and therapeutic interventions. Our multidisciplinary team offers compassionate, collaborative care to help you reclaim your life and sense of self-worth.


For tailored, comprehensive anorexia treatment, contact Schoen Clinic. Together, we can navigate the path to anorexia recovery and overall better wellbeing.

Meet our anorexia specialists


Children, teens, and adults at Schoen Clinic Newbridge or Schoen Clinic York receive comprehensive care from our specialised multidisciplinary team.


For outpatient appointments in London, visit our private clinic at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. Our dedicated specialists are ready to help. Learn more about our team or email us to book an appointment today.

Dr Hazel Fernandes

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Hazel Fernandes

Dr Divina Pillay

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Divina Pillay

Emma Johnson

Principle Systemic Family Psychotherapist

Emma Johnson

Dr Lorena Dumitrache

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

Dr Lorena Dumitrache

Dr Adrienne Key

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Adrienne Key

Sofia Likhacheva

Integrative Psychotherapist

Sofia Likhacheva

Dr Hollie Shannon

Senior Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Dr Hollie Shannon

Gail O'Brien

CYP Primary Therapist

Gail O'Brien

Magdalena Garcia

Clinical Psychologist & Integrative Psychotherapist

Magdalena Garcia

Dr Joan Brunton

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Joan Brunton

Dr Sara McCluskey

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Sara McCluskey

Annika Ancverina

Integrative Child & Adolescent Counsellor

Annika Ancverina

Pilar Isla Rodriguez

Psychotherapist

Pilar Isla Rodriguez

Gabriele McErlean

Lead Psychotherapist

Gabriele McErlean

Diana Badare

Nutritionist

Diana Badare

Michelle Knowles

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Michelle Knowles

Helen Holmes

Senior Consultant Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Family Practitioner

Helen Holmes

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