Anorexia Nervosa

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia is a condition where the individual has a distorted view of their body; even when they are dangerously thin, they will view themself as being overweight (or severely overweight). Anorexia can be life-threatening, as those afflicted may restrict calories, exercise excessively, or engage in other behaviors that could result in further weight loss (and even death from the medical consequences of malnourishment).

Individuals with Anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight, which can result in them limiting the amount and type of foods that they consume.

Anorexia has the second highest rate of death from any mental illness, surpassed only by opioid use disorders. Death related to anorexia often occurs secondary to either heart conditions (from malnutrition) or suicide. If you, or a loved one has suicidal thoughts, please do not wait for an appointment. Call the 988 suicide & crisis hotline or seek immediate medical attention.

Anorexia is a treatable medical condition, and individuals who are suffering from this illness can benefit greatly by engaging in mental health treatment.

How Common is Anorexia Nervosa?

Lifetime prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa is approximately 1% in women and 0.2% in men. The 12 month prevalence is significantly lower. The highest incidence occurs at approximately 15 years of age, and the condition rarely starts after the age of 40.

Anorexia appears to be more common in post-industrialized, higher income countries such as the United States, many European Countries, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

What conditions can co-occur with Anorexia?

Various Psychiatric Conditions often co-occur in patients with Anorexia Nervosa. These include, but are not limited to:

• Depression and Depressive Disorders
• Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Alcohol and other Substance Use Disorders

Due to the high risk for medical sequelae of this illness, elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and actions, and co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis, we highly recommend that individuals suffering with Anorexia Nervosa are treated by a psychiatric provider that will work with other providers (such as psychotherapists, dietitians, and primary care providers) to monitor the patient’s health and treat all aspects of their physical and mental well-being. If the patient has co-occurring psychiatric illnesses, that will need to also be treated.

Challenges to Treatment and Providing Support

Due to the nature of Anorexia, it is common for patients with this condition to either not desire treatment, or to fail to see the severity of their condition. If a patient is underweight, has significant concerns about their weight or physical appearance, or has other symptoms of anorexia please urge them to reach out for help, or reach out directly to a mental health professional who treats anorexia nervosa.

How Can Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates help with the Treatment of Anorexia?

Treatment for Anorexia should be tailored to the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment in psychiatry. Your treatment may include:

• Your Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Rittenhouse performing a thorough psychiatric evaluation to determine your diagnosis, its severity and any co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis.
• Your provider may request medical labs and/or additional medical workup.
• Your provider may request the ability to collaborate with your primary care provider, cardiologist, or other medical providers.
• Your provider may insist on the patient establishing care with a psychotherapist or psychologist,  who is experienced in the treatment of Eating Disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, outside of our practice.
• Your provider may also insist on the patient establishing care with a dietitian, and signing a release so that there can be collaboration.

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates is not a specialty clinic for anorexia, but our providers will make the effort to help you establish a team of appropriate providers, and will collaborate with those individuals (with a signed release).

We recommend that the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa be a team approach.

Finally, if symptoms are worsening with outpatient treatment, our team will highly recommend inpatient care for this condition. 

Do You Offer Both In-office and Virtual Online Psychiatric Appointments for Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

Yes, we offer both in-office and virtual online psychiatric appointments for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa and co-morbid psychiatric conditions. With that said, in-office treatment is generally recommended, as it can make monitoring a patient’s weight (an indicator of their overall health and the condition’s treatment progress) easier to do.

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at academic institutions. Our providers are Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and we have several licensed and doctoral level therapists and psychologists. We are experienced in working with individuals who struggle with various psychiatric conditions.

*Of note, not all providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates treat Anorexia Nervosa and other Eating Disorders. Our scheduling specialists will be able to discuss appropriate providers when you call to schedule.