What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa, commonly known as anorexia, represents a severe and potentially fatal eating disorder where individuals limit their food intake drastically because they fear gaining weight. Contrary to what media often suggests, anorexia can impact anyone—regardless of body shape, age, gender identity, or cultural background. At Diligence Care Plus, we fully recognize that anorexia goes beyond dietary habits—it is a multifaceted psychiatric condition influenced by complex emotional challenges, mental health factors, and various underlying biological processes.

Although anorexia affects fewer people than other eating disorders, it remains one of the most recognized and, sadly, one of the most fatal. Outside of opioid overdose, it leads in death rates among mental health conditions. Those impacted typically suffer extreme malnutrition, a warped sense of their physique, and compulsive habits around food intake.

Anorexia goes well beyond irregular eating—it impacts both body and mind, influencing how you value yourself, your emotions, and behaviors. At Diligence Care Plus, our method embraces comprehensive telepsychiatry care, offering therapy, diet support, and medication management if needed. We aim to deliver prompt assistance and treatment wherever you might be.

Psychological Symptoms:

• Intense fear of weight gain
• Persistent negative or distorted body image
• Obsessive thoughts about food, body shape, or weight
• Intrusive concerns around eating, physique, or body size
• Low self-worth or shame

Behavioral Signs:

• Extreme dieting or fasting
• Rigid eating rituals or food avoidance
• Avoiding meals or making excuses not to eat
• Chewing and spitting out food
• Excessive exercise or use of laxatives
• Hiding weight loss with oversized clothing

Physical Signs:

• Noticeable weight loss or low body weight
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Low heart rate or blood pressure
• Hair thinning or brittle nails
• Yellowed or dry skin
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Feeling cold even in warm environments

Diagnosis and Causes

Diagnosis of anorexia is guided by DSM-5 standards and usually conducted by credentialed clinicians. At Diligence Care Plus, our board-certified psychiatric providers and psychiatric nurse practitioners specialize in detecting and addressing intricate eating disorders using research-backed evaluations and virtual screening.

• There’s a persistent restriction of food leading to significantly low body weight
• Someone consistently limits what they eat, resulting in dangerously low body weight.
• The person experiences a severe fear of gaining weight.

Causes of Anorexia Nervousa

• History of dieting or body image issues
• Anxiety or obsessive-compulsive traits
• Genetic predisposition or family history of eating disorders
• Inherited tendency or family history with eating disorders
• Experiences with bullying, racism, or homophobia

For more on diagnostic standards, refer to NIH’s DSM-5 criteria summary.

How Diligence Care Plus Treats Anorexia Nervosa

At Diligence Care Plus, we deliver various treatment plans customized for each client’s circumstances. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or managing this issue for years, our team of care experts is always available—online, discreetly, and with genuine compassion—to support your healing. Here are a few ways we can help:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on reframing negative thought patterns
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps regulate emotions and improve coping strategies
• Involving family in the healing journey, particularly among teenagers: Engages family in the recovery process, especially for adolescents helps strengthen recovery in a way that provides lasting relief.
• Individual sessions helping uncover underlying issues and encourage behavior shifts: Providing therapy can help improve quality of life and make an impactful difference.
• Arranged access to registered dietitians upon referral: Coordinated with registered dietitians (available via referrals)

Although no drugs are FDA-approved for anorexia, certain medications can help specifically with conditions like depression or anxiety telehealth sessions, allowing patients to access high-quality care from the comfort of their home.

Early action leads to better outcomes. If you or someone close is experiencing signs of anorexia or unhealthy eating habits, please contact us now. At Diligence Care Plus, we offer private, research-based guidance to support your path to recovery.

• ANAD Eating Disorder Statistics
• NCBI DSM-5 Criteria Summary
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: FAQ on Eating Disorders