Anorexia nervosa information

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder. A person may restrict food, fear weight gain, see their body in a distorted way, or feel driven to control eating and exercise even when their health is being harmed.

Medical care is important: Anorexia can be life-threatening. Please seek treatment from a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, dietitian or specialised eating-disorder service. If there are signs of fainting, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, rapid weight loss or immediate danger, seek urgent medical help.

It can affect anyone

Anorexia can affect people of different ages, genders and backgrounds. Shame and secrecy often delay treatment, so a calm and compassionate response is important.

Common patterns

Restricting food, skipping meals or setting strict food rules.
Fear of gaining weight, even when others are concerned about health.
Checking, hiding the body, avoiding eating with others or feeling intense guilt after eating.
Over-exercising, purging, misuse of laxatives or other risky behaviours.

Treatment and recovery

Treatment may include medical monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation, psychological therapy and family or support-person involvement where appropriate. Recovery can take time and relapse can happen, but early support improves the chance of progress.

Take the next step toward support

Information can be helpful, but lasting progress often begins when you seek treatment and support. If fear, anxiety, avoidance, low mood, OCD symptoms or eating concerns are affecting your life, please speak with a qualified health professional.

Our AI Phobia Support Chat can help you calmly explore what is happening and prepare questions for a doctor, psychologist or counsellor. It does not replace professional care.

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Seek treatment early

If fear, panic, avoidance, low mood, OCD symptoms or eating concerns are affecting daily life, please seek treatment from a qualified GP, psychologist, counsellor or mental health professional.

In crisis?

If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department now.