According to various surveys, anorexia affects over seven million American women or at least one percent of the population at any given time. The disorder is difficult to treat and can be life-theatening if not dealt with properly. Many treatments exist, and usually a combination of them works best.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Used mostly in adults to help them develop healthy ways of dealing with food, improve their self-esteem, and teach them methods to deal with stress. Doctors focus on the reasons and moods that trigger eating episodes and teach the patients appropriate patterns to replace old ones.
Family Therapy
Always used as part of the treatment in adolescents or when the person is still living at home. Family therapy can be useful to help deal with the impact of the disorder on other members of the family, and to help develop strategies for coping and overcoming obstacles. Marital therapy follows the same approach for patients who are married and it focus primarily on solving communication problems and helping the couple deal with the disorder.
Group therapy
Can play an important role as part of hospitalization treatment. There are many different types of groups, from "task-oriented" (focus is on practical issues such as food, body image, and even vocational training) to “conceptual” groups aimed at dealing with the psychological factors of the disorder. Sharing experiences with others helps with feelings of guilt and isolation, and is specially useful in cases when survivors are part of the dialogue.
Support Groups
They differ from group therapy primarily by the fact that they’re led by non-professionals. They often permit family members to join in, and also help prepare those patients who are anxious about therapy. Churches, non-profit organizations, and family clinics usually offer these type of therapy.
Medication
Although medication alone has not proven to be effectve in the treatment of anorexia, some drugs may be needed to help the patient deal with anxiety, manias, or depression. Many anorexics are put on antidepressants, especially near the end of treatment, when the weight is approaching normal parameters.
Hospitalization
Although not exactly a form of treatment, hospitalization becomes a necessity when the patient’s health is at serious risk. This is the case when suicidal behavior is suspected, substance abuse is present, or the patient is seriously emaciated. Hospitalization can be in general hospitals or psychiatric hospitals, but specialized eating disorders programs are best. Inpatient clinics can cost up to $1,000 a day. Partial-care (outpatient) programs are a more economical alternative that provides almost the same support without the need for overnight stays. Both inpatient and outpatient hospitalization focus primarily on monitoring food intake.