What is anorexia?

Anorexia is an eating disorder and a serious mental health condition. If someone has anorexia, they will try to keep their weight as low as possible to the detriment of their physical health. This is usually done through the restriction of food, making themselves vomit and excessive exercise.

 

Anorexia can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Although it’s more commonly reported in women, more recently, it has also started to become increasingly common in men.

Anorexia symptoms and warning signs

People suffering from anorexia tend to hide their behaviour from loved ones.

But some of the most common signs to look out for are:

  • Missing meals, eating very little or avoiding certain types of food
  • Obsessively counting calories in food
  • Leaving the table immediately after eating in order to vomit
  • Taking laxatives and appetite suppressants
  • Physical problems like feeling lightheaded, dizzy, hair loss or dry skin
  • Repeated weighing and mirror-checking

Individuals with anorexia can also suffer from anxiety, depression and self-harm.

consultation taking notes

Types of treatment for anorexia

Our team has considerable experience working with eating disorders. A multidisciplinary approach is often recommended for the treatment of anorexia.

 

Alongside psychiatric and psychological treatment, we’re also likely to work closely with your GP and a nutritionist or dietician.

Frequently asked questions

Anorexia is a very serious mental health disorder so if you suspect you – or a loved one – is suffering from symptoms of anorexia, it is important that you seek help immediately.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are generally considered to be the most effective treatments for anorexia. Treatment will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team which means you are likely to see a psychiatrist, a psychologist as well as a nutritionist.

This depends on how severe your symptoms are. If your body max index has dropped below 18, this is a concerning sign and it would suggest that you need to be in an in-patient setting. The focus will be on helping you gain weight and also moderating some of the effects that starvation can have on the brain.

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Athena Lazaridou

Athena is a Pilates instructor with 8 years’ experience in the field. After completing a Power Pilates Mat Certification in Athens, she went on to complete the Full Comprehensive Classical Pilates Certification with Equinox in Kensington.  She has been teaching Pilates at Equinox for the past 6 years in addition to her own private clients who she trains both face to face and virtually.

Athena has a passion for helping people get stronger and fitter as well as helping those recovering from injury regain their strength and mobility.  Over the years, she has worked with athletes to incorporate Pilates into their training and improve performance. Athena has also worked with prenatal and postnatal women who may be experiencing depression or other mental health difficulties and used Pilates to facilitate a positive impact on their mental health.

Athena is very passionate about improving physical and mental well-being and has recently incorporated Sound Healing into her work, as she believes it to be one of the best ways of ‘letting go’ and releasing stale energy whilst increasing greater self-awareness.