Anorexia Treatment & Counselling in London
Anorexia is most commonly diagnosed in the teenage years and it is prevalent in girls
Anorexia treatment - A Deadly Eating Pattern
Anorexia can occur in any person at any age in life, but it is most commonly diagnosed during the teenage years and is more prevalent in girls. Sociological and cultural pressure to be thin may contribute to the development of the condition, particularly among young people, which is why treatment for anorexia in teens is a critical area of mental health care. However, anorexia is not simply about dieting or weight; it is rooted in much deeper psychological and emotional issues and can affect individuals of any gender or background.
What Is Anorexia?
People who are anorexic develop an obsessive relationship with food and eating as a means to lose weight, even when the weight loss is dangerous, unhealthy, or life-threatening. They are intensely focused on food intake and often think about food throughout most of their waking hours. Individuals with anorexia may restrict themselves to extremely low-calorie diets, sometimes consuming 600 calories or less per day, while engaging in excessive exercise. Fasting for extended periods may also become part of their routine.
Some individuals may misuse laxatives or diuretics to eliminate calories from their body. Unlike bulimia, this behaviour is not typically preceded by binge eating. Instead, food is removed or avoided immediately after consumption, even in very small quantities, in an effort to prevent any possible weight gain.
Anorexia also involves a severely distorted body image. Even when individuals are dangerously underweight and experiencing physical symptoms such as hair and tooth loss, skin problems, fainting, headaches, and fine hair growth on the body, they often still perceive themselves as overweight or not yet thin enough. Body image counselling London services frequently address this distorted self-perception as part of recovery.
The Causes of anorexia treatment
There is rarely a single root cause of anorexia. For most individuals, the condition develops as a result of a complex interaction of internal and external factors. Media portrayal of unrealistic body standards is often cited, but anorexia has been recognised as a medical condition since the nineteenth century, long before modern advertising and social media existed.
Other contributing factors may include hormonal changes, particularly during adolescence, a family history of eating disorders, brain chemistry imbalances involving dopamine and serotonin, autoimmune conditions, and nutritional deficiencies. Because of this complexity, professional eating disorder therapy and mental health support for anorexia are essential for effective treatment.
Comorbid Issues
Many individuals with anorexia also experience co-occurring mental health conditions. These may include depression, anxiety disorders, perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive personality traits, narcissistic or borderline personality disorders, and in some cases a history of physical or sexual abuse. Addressing these underlying issues through eating disorder counselling London or anorexia therapy London is a vital part of recovery.
A collaborative treatment approach is often most effective. This may include working with a therapist or counsellor who specialises in eating disorders, alongside a medical doctor, nutritionist, and other professionals. Access to anorexia support services, online anorexia treatment, and eating disorder help online can also provide additional layers of support, particularly for individuals who require flexible or remote care. For those based locally, anorexia treatment London services offer structured, multidisciplinary support focused on long-term recovery.
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