Anorexia Nervosa

Despite the misconception that eating disorders only affect young, white females, eating disorders do not discriminate. Anorexia can affect people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, and ethnicities.

Historians and psychologists actually have found evidence of people displaying symptoms of anorexia for hundreds or thousands of years. 

A person does not need to be emaciated or underweight to be struggling. Studies have found that larger-bodied individuals can also have anorexia, although they may be less likely to be diagnosed due to cultural prejudice and lack of education. At Morgan Somer Therapy, we acknowledge that eating disorders can affect people of all sizes and utilize a Health at Every Size approach.

Each person will have a unique journey to recover from their eating disorder. Working with a therapist will allow you to understand the role of your eating disorder and to learn how to cope healthily without relying on your disordered behaviors. Additionally, you may work with a physician, psychiatrist, and/or dietitian to address all areas of your wellbeing.

Therapy can be a beneficial resource for many people, but is especially helpful for those in recovery from an eating disorder. While there are many reasons, some of the main ones include understanding the factors that led to the development of their eating disorder, treating co-occurring condition such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders, developing a better self-esteem and building confidence, addressing body image concerns, address family issues and strengthen relationships, and building coping skills to maintain recovery.

Yes, absolutely! We are happy to work with clients stepping down from higher level of care that are looking for support to continue their recovery journey.

Meeting with a therapist and discussing the thoughts and behaviors you are experiencing is the first step to diagnosing an eating disorder.

According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) anorexia would be diagnosed if there is a restriction of intake leading to a significantly low body weight, there is an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even if underweight, and disturbance in the way in which their body weight or shape is experienced.

Even if all the DSM-5 criteria for anorexia are not met, a serious eating disorder can still be present. Atypical anorexia includes those individuals who meet the criteria for anorexia but who are not underweight despite significant weight loss. Research studies have not found a difference in the medical and psychological impacts of anorexia and atypical anorexia. No matter what, you are worthy of support and recovery. If your struggles around food, body and weight are causing any level of distress, you deserve a safe space to discuss your concerns and to discover recovery.

Eating disorders including anorexia are believed to result from a combination of biological, environmental, and social factors. A useful way of thinking about what causes an eating disorder is to distinguish predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors that contribute to its onset and maintenance.

Simply finding yourself on this page means there may be a small part of you that may be ready to recover. We welcome you to book an appointment with one of our therapists to discuss where you are and provide an opportunity to explore what recovery means and what you may be fearful of.