Anorexia Nervosa
What is Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is met when an individual’s weight drops below 85% of their Ideal Body Weight (IBW). This individual may have had a severe weight loss of 15% or more of his/her body weight, and if female, may not have had a menstrual cycle for at least 3 months. The individual restricts food, and employs fasting of food groups, serving sizes, and fluids on a daily basis. Some individuals with AN may exercise excessively, while others might use laxatives, diuretics and diet pills under the belief that this will assist in weight loss.
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Who has Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
AN effects all age groups beginning in pre-puberty throughout adulthood. Approximately 95% of individuals with AN are female and 5% are male.
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What is the scary truth about Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
AN has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness. Females with AN between the ages of 15-24, have a mortality rate that is 12 times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death.
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Why would someone purposely starve themselves?
An individual may restrict for a number of reasons:
- Feeling out of control and unable to stop
- Feeling shame and guilt for eating
- Eating for emotional reasons, not always from physical hunger
- Thinking about food 90-100% of the time during the day
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How do anorexics think and feel?
- "I'll disappear so I can’t be seen"
- "I am judged only by what I can do"
- "I feel satisfaction from what I accomplish"
- "Being still means being lazy"
- "I don’t know what it means to become someone"
- "I will never meet your expectations"
- "I will never meet my expectations"
- "I cannot tolerate my feelings"
- "I am a human-doer, not a human-being"
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How does Alexian Brothers treat Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
At Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, we work with all individuals who have the AN diagnosis: males, females, children, teens, and adults. While our treatment program is group-based, we tailor each individual’s treatment for their particular needs. Every individual in the program is assigned a case manager, a dietitian, and a psychiatrist. Each of these team members meet with the individual on a weekly basis.
The Alexian Brothers Center for Eating Disorders uses the Self Regulatory Structural Process Model to allow the patient to be the expert in his/her treatment. We use Motivational Interviewing to meet the patient where they are at in their treatment process. The goal is to educate and empower the patient to reduce unhealthy behaviors by recognizing dysfunctional patterns of relating to others, self, and food. While working with the individual on healthy eating patterns, we also focus on the underlying issues that surround their restricting as well as teaching new coping skills to deal with stressors.
Each individual is assessed to determine their Ideal Body Weight (IBW) range. Some individuals may need to maintain their current weight and have a meal plan set up for that purpose while learning healthy coping skills. Other individuals who are under their IBW may need to gain 1-2 pounds per week to get back to a healthy weight.
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For further information, please contact Denise M. Styer, Psy.D., Clinical Director, at
denise.styer@abbhh.net
. Individuals who would like to be assessed for treatment can call our Access Intake Department at 1-800-432-5005 to set up an appointment, or can walk-in for our FREE assessment.
Free Confidential Assessment & Referrals
A counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we are committed to prompt attention.
Please call us at 1-800-432-5005.
