WHAT IS ANOREXIA NERVOSA?
Dr Nazia Salam, Family Medicine Consultant at Health Shield Medical Centre, explains what anorexia is: What is anorexia? Anorexia is an eating disorder characterised by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with their lives. Is it true that only women are anorexic? Anorexia nervosa affects women more than men (ratio 10:1). However, men are more likely to be under-diagnosed, misdiagnosed and under-referred. What causes this behaviour? The exact cause of anorexia is unknown. As with many diseases, it’s probably a combination of biological, developmental, psychological and sociocultural factors. How can it be controlled? If you’re over 18, you should be offered a type of talking therapy to help you manage your feelings about food and eating so you are able to eat enough to be healthy. Types of talking therapy commonly used include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Maudsley anorexia nervosa treatment for adults (Mantra) or the specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM). If you are under 18, you should be offered family therapy. You may also be offered a type of talking therapy such as CBT or adolescent focused psychotherapy. If you notice that a family member or friend has low selfesteem, severe dieting habits and dissatisfaction with their appearance, consider talking to him or her about these issues. Let them know you’re worried about them and encourage them to see their family doctor who can make an assessment and refer onto a specialist team for further support and treatment. You could offer to go along with them. Approximately 50 per cent of those with anorexia nervosa make a full recovery. 30 per cent improve. When the onset is in adolescence, the recovery rate is thought to be higher at 70-80 per cent or more.