Biomedical Treatment
An essential element of treatment to anorexia is making the client understand that he/she has a seriously dangerous mental disorder and that they need professional help.
Drugs and Medication
When dealing with anorexia, some medications can be very helpful for the use of treatment, but it is very important for the individual to have a trusting relationship with the physician, otherwise it will be harder for the individual to comply with the medication.
Drugs that are usually used for treatment of anorexia are antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, because depression is seen in anorexic patients.
For individuals who suffer from “severe obsessions and increased anxiety and agitation,” chlorpromazine may be effective (Grohol).
There is also ECT, which is electroconvulsive therapy, which is suggested to only be appropriate when dealing with very complicated eating disorders.
Amongst the medication that is used to treat anorexia, there is not one that is particular for anorexia because “they haven’t been found to work very well.”
Because the medication treatments are limited, psychiatric drugs that deal with depression or anxiety are used because it helps to deal with some part of the mental disorder.
Drugs that are usually used for treatment of anorexia are antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, because depression is seen in anorexic patients.
For individuals who suffer from “severe obsessions and increased anxiety and agitation,” chlorpromazine may be effective (Grohol).
There is also ECT, which is electroconvulsive therapy, which is suggested to only be appropriate when dealing with very complicated eating disorders.
Amongst the medication that is used to treat anorexia, there is not one that is particular for anorexia because “they haven’t been found to work very well.”
Because the medication treatments are limited, psychiatric drugs that deal with depression or anxiety are used because it helps to deal with some part of the mental disorder.
Hospitalization
On severe occasions, hospitalization may be needed for the individual, such as when the individual continually refuses to eat, is severely malnourished, or because of medical or psychiatric complications. However, it is only accessible to those who have the financial necessities for it. “Specialized eating disorder programs may offer more intensive treatment over longer periods of time” (Mayo Clinic Staff). In addition to the hospitalization, education on nutrition and continuous therapy are very important in the recovery of the individual.
In the Andrea Garber et al. 2011 study, the researchers studied the efficiency provided by hospitalization for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa. They looked into the changes in weight and the clinical outcomes of these hospitalized patients. Their patients consisted of teenagers from the ages 13.1 to 20.5 years old that were closely monitored. Once they had been hospitalized, “weight, ital. signs, electrolytes, and 24-hour fluid balance were measured daily” and “calories were prescribed on admission and were increased every other day“(Garber). They found that 83% of the patients initially lost weight, even when they were supposed to gain it. They showed “slow weight gain on a recommended refeeding protocol” (Garber). Despite the results, further research must be done to understand the efficiency of hospitalization.
Photo by Brian Davies
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anorexia Nervosa." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/anorexia/DS00606/METHOD=print>.
Garber, Andrea K. "Prospective Examination of Weight Gain in Hospitalized Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa on a Recommended Refeeding Protocol." Journal of Adolescent Health. 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. <http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X1100232-1/abstract>.
Grohol, John M. "Psych Central: Anorexia Nervosa Treatment." Psych Central. 6 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx2t.htm>.
Iizuka, Akane. "Research and Examine the Biomedical, Individual, and Group Approaches to Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa – Akane." SlS IB Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://psychology.geckos.sis.org.cn/2012/03/treatment-to-anorexia-nervosa-akane/>.
In the Andrea Garber et al. 2011 study, the researchers studied the efficiency provided by hospitalization for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa. They looked into the changes in weight and the clinical outcomes of these hospitalized patients. Their patients consisted of teenagers from the ages 13.1 to 20.5 years old that were closely monitored. Once they had been hospitalized, “weight, ital. signs, electrolytes, and 24-hour fluid balance were measured daily” and “calories were prescribed on admission and were increased every other day“(Garber). They found that 83% of the patients initially lost weight, even when they were supposed to gain it. They showed “slow weight gain on a recommended refeeding protocol” (Garber). Despite the results, further research must be done to understand the efficiency of hospitalization.
Photo by Brian Davies
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anorexia Nervosa." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/anorexia/DS00606/METHOD=print>.
Garber, Andrea K. "Prospective Examination of Weight Gain in Hospitalized Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa on a Recommended Refeeding Protocol." Journal of Adolescent Health. 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. <http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X1100232-1/abstract>.
Grohol, John M. "Psych Central: Anorexia Nervosa Treatment." Psych Central. 6 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx2t.htm>.
Iizuka, Akane. "Research and Examine the Biomedical, Individual, and Group Approaches to Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa – Akane." SlS IB Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://psychology.geckos.sis.org.cn/2012/03/treatment-to-anorexia-nervosa-akane/>.