Anorexia nervosa can be difficult to treat because people may deny having this illness or refuse treatment because of their fear of weight gain. The primary goal of initial treatment is to improve caloric intake to avoid the associated medical conditions related to undernourishment. People who are affected may need to work with a medical doctor, a mental health professional, and a dietitian to safely increase their food intake and avoid refeeding syndrome (a life-threatening change in electrolyte concentrations). Some extremely malnourished people with serious complications may require hospitalization.
Although some medications, like antidepressants and mood stabilizers, can be prescribed to address the underlying depression and anxiety, they don’t reduce the desire to lose weight or the harmful behaviors. Therefore, therapy with a professional trained in eating disorders is necessary to address the fears and beliefs that lead to disordered behaviors. In addition to individual therapy, family therapy and support groups can also be helpful.[1]