Types of Anorexia Treatment, According to Therapists

Learn about the different options available for treating anorexia.

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In seeking eating disorder treatment, people often face barriers like stigma and shame. Too often, this can mean that treatment goes overlooked. And, some of the most common eating disorders — binge eating disorder, bulimia, and anorexia — each fall under the same category but require tailored care.

Take anorexia nervosa, also known as anorexia, “a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image,” as Charlie Health Contemplative Practitioner Tairesha “Sunflower” Flemister, LMSW, puts it.  

Finding and receiving effective anorexia treatment is critical for anyone living with the condition. Read on to learn more about the signs of anorexia, how to choose the right treatment approach, and what healing options are available.

Signs of anorexia 

In order to seek anorexia treatment (or treatment for any kind of disordered eating or eating disorder), a person must understand the condition and its symptoms. For starters, anorexia is a type of mental health condition, and it requires ongoing support for a person’s mental and physical health.

“Anorexia is about so much more than food,” says Charlie Health Group Facilitator Clary Figueroa, MSW. “It’s often tied to control, perfectionism, trauma, or feeling disconnected from one’s body. Recovery is absolutely possible, but it can take time, patience, and a lot of support.” Charlie Health Group Facilitator Bree Williams, LPCA, seconds this: “Anorexia is not a ‘choice,’ a phase, or something you can simply snap out of.”

Anorexia can cause physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. According to Williams, signs of anorexia include: 

• Noticeable weight loss or being significantly underweight
• Fatigue, hair loss, or feeling cold due to slowed metabolism
• Irregular or missed menstrual periods 

• Restricting food intake severely
• Excessive exercise, often even when exhausted or injured

• Intense fear of gaining weight, even if underweight
• Perfectionism, low self-esteem, or needing to feel in control
• Irritability, depression, or anxiety related to body image or food

Though people living with anorexia are often underweight, Figueroa notes that “it’s also important to say that not everyone with anorexia looks the way we might expect. You can’t always tell someone is struggling just by looking at them.” 

What factors to consider when seeking anorexia treatment 

There are a few different treatment options available for people living with anorexia. Multiple factors determine what treatment plan to pursue and how. According to Flemister, you should consider the following points and discuss them with a medical professional:

1. Severity of the disorder

A person experiencing low body weight, rapid weight loss, or medical instability may require a treatment program, hospitalization, or residential care.

2. Age and developmental stage

Adolescents often benefit most from family-based treatment, while adults may engage more in individual therapy.

3. Presence of co-occurring conditions

A person also living with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or trauma may require integrated care models.

4. Motivation and readiness for change

Treatment plans may need to address ambivalence and build motivation early on.

5. Support system

A strong, involved support system can make outpatient care more effective, whereas a lack of support may necessitate a higher level of care.

Figueroa notes on that last point: “If someone you care about is struggling, your presence and care can make a difference. And if you’re the one struggling, there’s help out there, and you deserve it.” 

Treatment options for anorexia 

The first step toward healing from anorexia is deciding to seek treatment and find support. “It thrives in secrecy, shame, and silence — and healing begins when someone realizes they’re not alone and that recovery is possible,” says Williams. “Feeling seen and heard without judgment — especially by a provider who understands their cultural and emotional context — makes all the difference.” 

1. Nutrition counseling 

Each expert points to one other key component of treating an eating disorder like anorexia: nutrition counseling. A registered dietician can help with understanding hunger cues, restoring healthy eating patterns, dismantling diet culture, and building meal plans. This step is key to improving a person’s mental and physical health, changing their eating habits, helping with weight restoration, and supporting their treatment approach.  

2. Medication

There is currently no medication available that is specifically designed to treat anorexia. However, individuals living with co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or OCD, might benefit from medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

3. Therapy

Therapy is another valuble treatment option for individuals living with anorexia. According to Williams, these are the therapeutic techniques that can be most beneficial within a treatment program.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy – enhanced (CBT-E): It helps reframe disordered thoughts about food, weight, and body image.
• Family-based therapy (FBT): Often used with adolescents, this empowers families to support their loved one’s recovery.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): It teaches skills for distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and mindfulness.
• Trauma-informed therapy: It’s important for those whose anorexia developed as a response to trauma, abandonment, or unsafe environments.

“Early intervention greatly improves outcomes,” adds Flemister. “Reducing stigma, promoting body diversity, and providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care are essential to improving access and equity in treatment.” 

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual treatment programs, including our virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), provide mental health, substance use, and eating disorder treatment for people dealing with serious conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With support, managing your well-being is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.