Whilst our “ideal” or “desirable” body shape is culturally determined, recent studies have shown that body weight is strongly influenced by genetic and familial patterns. This is quite at odds with the messages presented by the media and by the diet industry: that anyone can achieve any body weight. We know from studies looking at twins…
The following are excerpts from a number of ‘life stories’ written by people who have or are experiencing long term anorexia. They were asked to think about how they experience anorexia now, and what they wish they have known at the start of their anorexia. “Anorexia is a surprisingly powerful mental illness. It deceives you…
Good health is a balance between social, spiritual, mental and physical well-being. Mental and emotional health depend upon good physical health and nutrition, along with rest and exercise. If the nutritional needs of your body are not met, sleep patterns can become disturbed, the capacity to do physical exercise can become impaired, mental concentration…
If you or someone you care about has been eating very little or has lost a significant amount of weight, you may have heard the term refeeding syndrome. It can sound frightening, particularly when increasing food is exactly what someone needs in order to recover. Refeeding syndrome is a potentially serious complication that can occur…
‘Orthorexia’ has gained increasing attention in the press in recent years, but what is it? Sometimes described as orthorexia nervosa, it describes those who may be seen as having “unhealthy obsessions” with otherwise healthy eating. Orthorexia usually starts out as a harmless attempt to follow certain healthy eating rules. However, in some cases, these rules…
Eating disorders may not be suitable for outpatient treatment at their most severe. This may be because motivation is low, physical health is too compromised for changes to be made without daily medical monitoring, anxiety may be too high to make changes without support, or the home environment may prohibit changes. In this case, inpatient…
Going to university is a time of huge transition and challenge for most people. This may be particularly challenging for people with an eating disorder, or who are in recovery from an eating disorder. New relationships, new pressures, new eating habits, the need to shop, cook and eat independently, can all present challenges for people…
Autism spectrum disorder is not a mental health condition, and certainly not everyone with autism will have an eating disorder, or vice versa. However, there does appear to be an overlap in symptoms such that high rates of autistic traits are often found in people with anorexia. Due to the structured routines that are often…
Treatment options for anorexia
Recommended reading for AN
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