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Treatment for anorexia nervosa mainly includes group, family and behavioral therapies, as well as personalized diet and taking dietary supplements, to combat nutritional deficiencies caused by the disease that prevent people from eating properly.
In addition, it may be necessary to take antidepressant drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist, and in the most severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to place a nasogastric tube to ensure the correct feeding.
1. How should the food be
The nutritional treatment for anorexia nervosa aims to help the person to make a more adequate diet to keep the body healthy and avoid diseases.
During treatment, it is important to make several consultations with a nutritionist to carry out an adequate diet plan in order to replace the vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in the body in order to have a healthy life.
In some cases, the doctor or nutritionist may recommend the use of multivitamin supplements, such as Centrum, which help replenish vitamins and minerals that are not being eaten in sufficient quantities through food. These types of supplements can be taken for about 3 months, and the need for their use after that period should be reevaluated.
Supplements are calorie free and therefore not fattening, but should not be taken as a substitute for healthy eating and the amount of calories needed to regain health.
Nutritional treatment thus helps to avoid or treat the consequences of lack of food, such as thin hair, hair loss, weak nails, constipation or dry skin, for example. Here are some tips from our nutritionist:
2. Therapy
Being accompanied by a psychologist is also a very important part of the treatment to overcome anorexia nervosa because this professional can use strategies to raise awareness of the correct body image, and help the person to find the root of their problems and the possible solutions they can adopt.
Consultations should be held at least once a week, indefinitely, until the person is able to have a better relationship with their image and can overcome the cause of the disorder, which also promotes well-being.
In some cases, group therapy may also be indicated, in which several people with the same disorder share their experiences, which generates empathy and willingness to help other people, which also ends up helping in the treatment itself.
3. Remedies
The use of medicines is only indicated for people who have other psychological disorders that can influence anorexia, such as anxiety and depression, for example. Thus, if the psychologist identifies the need for the use of drugs, he can refer the person to the psychiatrist, who must prescribe the necessary drugs to favor the treatment of anorexia and promote the person's well-being.
It is important that the use of the remedies is done in accordance with the recommendation of the psychiatrist, in addition to it being important that regular consultations are carried out to check whether the remedies are having the desired effect or whether it is necessary to adjust the dose.
How long will the treatment take
The time of treatment against anorexia nervosa is very individual, because it depends on many factors, such as the person's general health, mental health and commitment to follow the nutritionist's guidelines, in addition to taking the medication properly and participating actively in psychotherapy sessions. .
It is normal to have some relapses, and the person thinks about abandoning the treatment because he thinks he is getting too fat, and that he will not be accepted socially, so all family and friends need to support the person during the treatment.
Signs of improvement and worsening
Do not go more than 3 and a half hours without eating, have more hydrated and strong hair, nails and skin, reach a healthy weight and eat family meals are signs that the treatment for anorexia is being effective, however it is important that psychological monitoring is maintained to prevent relapse.
On the other hand, when treatment is not followed according to the guidelines, the person may show some signs of worsening, such as not eating for long periods, not having family meals, missing therapy, continuing to lose weight or even having lack of energy for daily activities like bathing.