Anorexia Nervosa: Understanding the Disorder and Finding Hope
Anorexia nervosa is more than just a food issue—it's a serious mental health condition that affects how a person sees themselves, their body, and their relationship with nourishment.
At Eating Disorder Treatment Centers (EDTC), recovery from anorexia is possible. Our team is here to provide the compassionate, expert treatment and support you need to regain your health, confidence, and freedom.
What Is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by intense fear of weight gain, restrictive eating behaviors, and distorted body image. People with anorexia often go to extreme lengths to control their weight, including severe food restriction, excessive exercise, and, in some cases, purging behaviors.
Anorexia is not just about food or weight—it's a complex condition that affects both the mind and body. Left untreated, it can have life-threatening consequences. However, with the proper treatment, support, and medical care, individuals can recover and regain a healthy relationship with food and themselves.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia
Identifying the early signs of anorexia can significantly improve the chances of recovery. While each person's experience is unique, there are common physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators that may signal the presence of anorexia.
Physical Signs
Extreme or rapid weight loss: Noticeable and unexplained weight loss, often accompanied by denial of being underweight or an insistence on continuing to lose weight.
Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting: Low calorie intake can lead to weakness, lightheadedness, and difficulty concentrating, affecting daily tasks and mental clarity.
Thinning hair, dry skin, or brittle nails: The body diverts nutrients away from hair and skin, leading to hair loss, brittle nails, and an overall dull complexion.
Cold intolerance and low body temperature: A slowed metabolism can cause persistent coldness, even in warm environments, and bluish fingertips due to poor circulation.
Slow heart rate or irregular heartbeat: A weakened heart from malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances can result in low blood pressure, arrhythmias, and an increased risk of heart failure.
Loss of menstrual cycle (in women): Known as amenorrhea, missing periods for multiple months is a warning sign of hormonal imbalances caused by anorexia.
Behavioral and Emotional Signs
Intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight: An individual with anorexia may experience severe distress at even small weight fluctuations, often perceiving weight gain as a failure rather than a necessary part of health.
Preoccupation with calories, food, and dieting: Obsessive focus on counting calories, restricting food intake, and following extreme dieting trends, such as cutting out entire food groups.
Avoiding meals or lying about eating habits: Finding excuses to skip meals, claiming to have already eaten, or pushing food around the plate rather than consuming it.
Excessive exercise, even when fatigued or injured: Engaging in compulsive workouts as a form of "compensation" for eating, sometimes prioritizing exercise over important life activities or social events.
Social withdrawal and avoiding eating in front of others: Feeling uncomfortable or anxious eating in public, isolating from friends and family, or choosing solitary activities over group meals.
Anxiety, perfectionism, or depression: High levels of self-criticism, perfectionism, and intense emotional distress are linked to low self-esteem and an overwhelming need for control.
If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, early intervention can make a life-changing difference.
Quick Self-Assessment: Do I Have Anorexia?
If you're unsure whether anorexia is affecting your life, take a moment to answer these questions:
Do you feel intense fear or anxiety about gaining weight?
Do you restrict your food intake, even when hungry?
Do you see yourself as overweight, even when others say you are too thin?
Do you experience guilt or shame after eating?
Do you avoid social events that involve food?
If you answered "yes" to any of these, you may benefit from speaking with a professional. Call 985-261-3382 for a confidential conversation about your concerns.
What Causes Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa does not have a single cause—it develops from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While the exact cause may vary from person to person, research has identified several key influences that can contribute to its onset and progression.
Genetic & Biological
Factors
Family History – Individuals with a parent, sibling, or close relative who has struggled with an eating disorder, anxiety, or depression may be at a higher risk of developing anorexia.
Brain Chemistry & Neurobiology – Differences in brain function, particularly in areas related to impulse control, reward processing, and emotional regulation, may contribute to rigid thinking patterns and obsessive behaviors seen in anorexia.
Hormonal Imbalances – Disruptions in hunger and fullness hormones (ghrelin and leptin) and stress-related hormones like cortisol can affect how individuals perceive hunger and satiety.
Psychological
Factors
Perfectionism & High Achievement Drive – Many individuals with anorexia display perfectionist tendencies, setting unrealistically high standards for themselves in various aspects of life, including body image, academics, career, or athletic performance.
Anxiety, OCD, and Other Mental Health Conditions – Those with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, social anxiety, or generalized anxiety may use rigid eating behaviors as a way to feel a sense of control.
Low Self-Esteem & Negative Body Image – People who struggle with self-worth and body dissatisfaction may develop disordered eating patterns as a way to cope with deep-seated insecurities.
Social & Environmental Influences
Cultural & Societal Pressures – Social media, fashion trends, and unrealistic beauty standards often glorify thinness, reinforcing the idea that self-worth is tied to body size. This pressure can be especially strong for young women, athletes, and individuals in performance-based industries.
Trauma & Emotional Distress – Past experiences such as bullying, childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, or significant loss can trigger restrictive eating as a way to regain a sense of control over emotions.
Major Life Changes & Stress – Transitions like starting college, moving away from home, breakups, or high-pressure careers can contribute to disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope with uncertainty.
It is important to understand that anorexia is not a choice, and it does not develop overnight. It's the result of multiple factors coming together, often over time. No one is to blame—not the individual, not their family, and not society alone.
The Dangers of Untreated Anorexia
Anorexia affects the entire body—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Without treatment, it can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications, such as:
Heart failure and low blood pressure
Osteoporosis (weakened bones)
Organ damage, especially to the liver and kidneys
Fertility issues and hormonal imbalances
Cognitive difficulties, including trouble focusing and memory loss
The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of full recovery and healing.
How We Treat Anorexia at EDTC
Anorexia is treatable. With the proper support, individuals can heal from the underlying causes, rebuild a positive relationship with food and their bodies, and move toward a full, lasting recovery.
At Eating Disorder Treatment Centers, we take a whole-person approach that goes beyond just restoring weight. We help individuals heal their relationship with food, their body, and themselves.
Our Unique Approach to Care
Medical & Clinical Support
Ongoing medical monitoring, psychiatric care, and personalized treatment plans.
Nutritional Rehabilitation
Registered dietitians guide individuals through healthy, balanced eating.
Therapeutic Support
Evidence-based therapies, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed care.
Wellness & Mindfulness Practices
Movement therapy, yoga, meditation, and stress management techniques.
Family & Relationship Healing
Family therapy sessions, education, and support groups for loved ones.
Relapse Prevention & Aftercare Planning
Long-term support to help individuals maintain sustainable recovery.
Coordinated Care
Seamless communication with your current healthcare providers to support long-term healing.
Helping a Loved One with Anorexia
If you're worried about someone you love, you might feel unsure how to help. Here's what you can do:
Recognize the signs of Anorexia
Watch for weight changes, food avoidance, or obsessive calorie counting.
Approach with compassion
Use "I" statements and avoid criticism or blame.
Encourage professional help
Offer support in finding treatment options.
If you're unsure how to talk to your loved one about seeking help, we can help you through the process.
Why Choose EDTC for Anorexia Recovery?
At Eating Disorder Treatment Centers (EDTC), we recognize that eating disorders impact your overall health and relationships. Our compassionate team offers personalized care that fosters physical and mental healing in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
Located just outside New Orleans, we invite individuals from across the country to take the first step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
We also believe financial barriers shouldn't hinder recovery, so we work with insurance providers and offer flexible payment options to make treatment affordable and accessible.
Help Is Just a Conversation Away
Recovery can start with a single call. Whether you're looking for help for yourself or a loved one, we're here to support you. Call us or fill out the form to request a confidential consultation.
Recognize the signs of Anorexia
