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Eating disorders - Management
What specialist treatments are recommended for anorexia nervosa?
- Most people with anorexia nervosa should be managed on an outpatient basis, with psychological treatment (with physical monitoring) provided by a healthcare professional competent to give it and to assess the physical risk associated with eating disorders. However, a substantial minority receive inpatient treatment.
- Therapies to be considered for the psychological treatment of anorexia nervosa include cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), focal psychodynamic therapy, and family interventions focused explicitly on eating disorders.
- Additional interventions which may be offered include:
- Dietary counselling (this should not be provided as the sole treatment for anorexia nervosa).
- Regular physical monitoring, and in some cases treatment with a multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement in oral form.
- Regular monitoring of height as well as weight (in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa).
- Support in gradually reducing laxative use.
- Occasionally, admission is needed for re-feeding, although this itself can cause complications such as hypophosphataemia.
- Medication should not be used as the sole or primary treatment for anorexia nervosa.
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