Posted by Dr. Beth Steinhauer on March 15, 2005, at 13:45:25
In reply to Steinhauer: question about finding treatment, posted by Racer on March 14, 2005, at 21:33:46
Dear Racer,
I'm sorry it's been so difficult for you to find a therapist willing to treat you. I suspect that you're right; many clinicians probably regard adults with A.N. as more chronic, refractory to treatment, potentially medically unstable, etc. Also, resources vary widely depending on region. I'm glad that you've found someone. For other readers who are looking, try www.aedweb.org for help with local referrals.
The treatment of choice for Anorexia Nervosa is CALORIES; the goal is restoration of normal weight. When people are starving, they are not able to engage in meaningful outpatient therapy. Medications, too, have shown very limited utility in treating A.N. (though some medications, such as antidepressants, may help with coexisting conditions e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) Generally speaking, someone with A.N. whose BMI (Body Mass Index) is below 16 needs hospital admission for refeeding.
If antidepressants have helped you in the past to sustain a more normal weight, they could be very useful to you now. Once your weight is stable, you can use psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapies) to better address the body image concerns and other issues that have been fuelling your weight loss.
Best of luck with your recovery--ES
poster:Dr. Beth Steinhauer
thread:471108
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/eating/20050314/msgs/471327.html