Are Alternative Treatments Successful in Anorexia Nervosa?

by Ellern Mede Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorders continue to be amongst the most serious health illnesses affecting people worldwide because Anorexia Nervosa has a higher death rate than any other mental illness. Anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorders are on the rise, and several types of treatments have been in use to manage the various aspects of these conditions. Talking of anorexia nervosa, in particular, medical professionals help the patient cope with psychological imbalances, and malnutrition. Furthermore, an alternative approach for its treatment has shown an improved recovery rate. But, do you think alternative therapies alone can help cure the condition? We don't think so!

Let's first understand how severe is anorexia nervosa?

Intentional starving takes a toll on the patient's everyday life. It wrecks their entire physical and mental system leading to health risks such as depression, low blood sugar, cardiac complications, kidney or liver failure, anaemia, infertility, gastrointestinal disturbances, insomnia, and even death. In the long run, some damage becomes irreversible. As the patient is affected psychologically and physically, their treatment does need to bring back balance.

Alternative treatments which commonly alleviate stress, anxiety and mental health conditions may also, and do, help a person with this condition. Some examples are yoga, relaxation therapy, acupuncture, body awareness therapy, and incorporating healthy lifestyle habits. However, do you think these are enough to treat the severity of anorexia nervosa? Let’s find out!

What helps with anorexia nervosa?

Let's be honest; alternative methods alone cannot help the patient to recover completely. An outpatient anorexia treatment must ideally be the best place to start. What is essential about it in the fight against an eating disorder is that it's an interdisciplinary approach. The treatment team includes a qualified doctor, a psychiatrist, a nutritionist as well as various therapists.

Clinical tests have shown that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, shortened as CBT, has proved to be one of the most effective treatment methods for anorexia nervosa. CBT can be offered as an outpatient programme explicitly designed to prevent relapse once the patient gains weight. The treatment programme also helps cope with anxiety as well as depression in about 15 to 20 sessions. CBT and the right kind of medication are about 90% more effective than other methods for overcoming the ailment. Wholistic treatments alone cannot provide this kind of result because they are not focused on the very unique and individual situation you face.

Why is primary care (GP care) important?

The GP is the gateway to specialist referral and holds the key to the rounded medical history that a specialist will need to understand an eating disorder in a person’s life. Their referral is important from this point of view, but also because their referral is a starting point for any help with funding that may apply, whether that be NHS / Government funding or medical insurance.

What is the difference in specialist care?

In an eating disorder specialist service, an experienced team of professionals regularly monitor both your physical and psychological health. There is a range of therapies as well as personalised programmes for every individual. For teens with anorexia, these healthcare experts know exactly what you are going through, know the tricks the illness plays and know how to keep you safe.

Specialist doctors trained in psychiatry seek to understand the patient's beliefs and gradually motivate them towards achieving changes. Psychiatrists know best what, if any, medication may help your recovery, although therapies are the core approach to curing Anorexia Nervosa. Chief among what’s been found to help is a strong therapeutic relationship that offers consistency and a feeling of being ‘held’, helping the patient revive lost confidence and trust in themselves as well as others around them...

Specialist care is so recognised as essential that the NHS assigns a large budget to NHS England Child and Adolescent Mental Health commissioners to purchase this treatment from both its own and private clinics. Although most governments want to reduce inpatient treatment, there are always some people who would die without it and so Eating Disorder Specialist Services continue to grow in number and size across the world.

Don’t play Russian Roulette with your health. By all means, use holistic methods to make your lifestyle healthier, but don’t think for a moment that it will strengthen you to the point that you can cope with an Eating Disorder on your own strength alone. Alternative treatments can remain as additional aspects of self-care and healthy hobbies.

Go Pro

If you are serious about tackling your eating disorder, and you should be, as watching To the Bone will impress upon you, then go pro. You need expert care to either understand the root cause of the condition or even if you never do, banish the cognitions that underly it. Every eating disorder is as individual and unique as the person who is experiencing it. The specialist team will prepare a tailored programme and help you set the right kind of goals. Weight restoration comes first but hand in hand with psychological therapies and behavioural structure that will help you manage your illness. When you are ready to manage on your own you will have developed a better relationship with yourself, with food, and ability to manage stress better, build confidence and trust in yourself as well as improve your relationship with others.