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Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by extreme weight loss, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. At ABBI Clinic, we provide expert eating disorder treatment that helps you regain your health and confidence and develop healthier eating behaviours for the future.
Anorexia is characterised by a strong desire to lose weight, resulting in unhealthy weight loss, malnutrition, and other health problems.
Anorexia can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and accounts for roughly 8% to 14.5% of diagnosed cases of eating disorders in the UK. There are two recognised subtypes, which differ in how the restriction of food intake is maintained.
The restricting subtype, known as AN-R, involves a significant reduction in the amount and variety of food eaten.
This may include skipping meals, closely monitoring calorie intake, and following rigid rules around food that become increasingly difficult to move away from.
The binge-purge subtype, known as AN-BP, also involves restriction but is additionally characterised by episodes of purging through self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise. Some people with this subtype also experience cycles of binge eating followed by purging, which can feel deeply out of control.
Both subtypes carry serious physical risks, as the body is deprived of the nutrients and energy it needs to function.
Recognising anorexia is not always easy, as harmful behaviours can be hidden from others. Some signs, however, can be physical and noticeable.
Anorexia is often associated with low body weight, but it is important to understand that people can be seriously unwell at any weight. For those under 18, weight and height may fall below the expected range for their age group, though this is not always the case.
A distorted perception or preoccupation with body size and shape is common in anorexia, with many people experiencing a strong belief that they are overweight regardless of their actual weight. This often sits alongside low self-esteem and deep insecurity about appearance, which can make the condition particularly difficult to move away from without specialist support.
Anorexia typically involves eating as little as possible, with food intake becoming increasingly restricted and tightly regulated over time. This can manifest as extremely small portions, regularly skipped meals, rigid rules around what is and is not considered acceptable to eat, or the strict avoidance of foods perceived as unhealthy or high in calories.
Disrupted sleep is a common but often overlooked aspect of anorexia. People living with the condition frequently experience difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, or finding that sleep feels unrefreshing. This is partly a physical consequence of inadequate nutrition and partly a reflection of the psychological burden the condition carries.
Anorexia can occur alongside other mental health conditions, most commonly depression and anxiety. These may develop as a consequence of the eating disorder or may have been present beforehand.
A strong drive towards perfectionism and control is closely associated with anorexia. This can extend well beyond food and eating, affecting relationships, work, study, and daily routines. The pursuit of control can come at personal cost, with close relationships often bearing the impact.
If you are living with anorexia, getting the right support as soon as possible is vital. The condition can result in a number of psychological, emotional, and physical problems, all of which can impact health and quality of life in significant ways.
At ABBI Clinic, we believe that timely, specialist intervention matters. Our approach is responsive, flexible, and built around your real life.
Whether you are in the early stages of recognising a difficulty or have been experiencing symptoms for some time, we are here to provide a clear, supported path forward, delivered with the clinical expertise and compassion you deserve.
Everyone’s experience of eating disorders is different, and supporting a healthy, sustainable recovery means accessing a tailored treatment plan designed specifically for you. Your plan may consist of the following:
Individual therapy sessions give you dedicated one-to-one time with a specialist psychological therapist. Sessions provide a confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may underlie your eating disorder.
Group therapy sessions bring you together with others on a similar journey in a structured, safe, and facilitated environment. Sessions create space for sharing experiences, building skills, and supporting one another.
Family therapy involves working with you and the people closest to you to explore how relationships and home dynamics may be contributing to your eating disorder and build frameworks for supporting your recovery.
During individual sessions with a specialist eating disorder dietitian, who works closely alongside the rest of your treatment team, you will work towards rebuilding a healthy, flexible relationship with food, addressing any nutritional concerns, and developing practical eating skills that you can carry forward after treatment.
Supported mealtimes are a core part of our Day Care programme and an important element of treatment for many people. You will prepare and eat meals in a supportive, structured group environment, with your clinical team present throughout.
Whichever programme you are in, you will be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist as part of your initial assessment, and psychiatric oversight will continue throughout your treatment where clinically indicated.
Our mental health nursing team provides clinical monitoring and practical support throughout your treatment. Regular physical health checks, including weight monitoring and medical observations, are carried out by our nurses, who are present throughout treatment.
Looking to learn more about anorexia? Find answers to our most commonly asked questions here, or reach out to get in touch with a member of our expert team.
Anorexia is typically characterised by the significant restriction of food intake and, in many cases, a low body weight. Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise and does not typically involve low body weight. The binge-purge subtype of anorexia can sometimes be confused with bulimia, but the key distinction is that people with this subtype of anorexia continue to restrict their overall intake and are typically underweight, whereas people with bulimia are usually within or above a healthy weight range.
Eating disorder treatment can be very effective at helping to understand and overcome anorexia. Treatment at ABBI Clinic is tailored to your needs and circumstances, allowing you to be supported in the physical, emotional, and psychological ways that matter most.
Outpatient programmes support you in understanding and overcoming your anorexia with a flexible, structured treatment plan, featuring both in-person and online sessions, that allows you to continue with your everyday life.
Outpatient treatment provides structured, specialist support at regular intervals while allowing you to continue with daily life at home. It is suited to people who are medically stable and do not require daily clinical oversight. Day Care treatment is more intensive, involving either half-day or full-day attendance and a higher level of clinical contact. It is appropriate for people who need more support than outpatient treatment can provide, or who would benefit from the structure of a programme to support their recovery. Both are delivered by the same specialist team at ABBI Clinic, and treatment can move between the two as clinical needs change.
Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Whether you have questions about our treatment programmes, want to understand your funding options, or are ready to arrange an assessment, we are here to help.
Fill in the form below, or call us, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
