Anorexia nervosa

Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Mai Tran

• chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• linden (Tilia spp.) flowers

Aromatherapy

Essential oils of herbs such as bergamot, basil, chamomile, clary sage and lavender may help stimulate appetite, relax the body and fight depression. They can be diffused into the air, inhaled, massaged or put in bath water.

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and t'ai chi can relax the body and release stress, anxiety and depression.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy may help resolve unconscious issues that contribute to anorexic behavior.

Other alternative treatments

Other alternative treatments that may be helpful include hydrotherapy, magnetic field therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, Ayurveda and Chinese herbal medicine.

Allopathic treatment

Treatment of anorexia nervosa includes both short-term and long-term measures, and requires assessment by dietitians and psychiatrists as well as medical specialists. Therapy is often complicated by the patient's resistance or failure to carry out treatment plan.

Hospital treatment

Hospitalization is recommended for anorexics with any of the following characteristics:

• weight of 40% or more below normal, or weight loss over a three-month period of more than 30 pounds
• severely disturbed metabolism
• severe binging and purging
• signs of psychosis
• severe depression or risk of suicide
• family in crisis

Hospital treatment includes individual and group therapy as well as refeeding and monitoring of the patient's physical condition. Treatment usually requires two to four months in the hospital. In extreme cases, hospitalized patients may be force-fed through a tube inserted in the nose (nasogastric tube) or by over-feeding (hyperalimentation techniques).

Outpatient treatment

Anorexics who are not severely malnourished can be treated by outpatient psychotherapy. The types of treatment recommended are supportive rather than insight-oriented, and include behavioral approaches as well as individual or group therapy. Family therapy is often recommended when the patient's eating disorder is closely tied to family dysfunction. Self-help groups are often useful in helping anorexics find social support and encouragement. Psychotherapy with anorexics is a slow and difficult process; about 50% of patients continue to have serious psychiatric problems after their weight has stabilized.