Anorexia Athletica Treatment

Specialist anorexia athletica tailored treatment

We know that anorexia athletica, like any eating disorder, can take a huge toll on many areas of your life. You might feel that you have lost control of your eating habits and that your self-esteem has faded away. Your day-to-day existence may be completely disrupted, while relationships, work and even hobbies are likely to suffer too.

You mustn’t blame yourself for what you are going through. Many people have a complicated relationship with food and body image, which has reached a point where it is harming your physical and mental health. Anorexia athletica may be less discussed than other well-known eating disorders, but its damaging effects are very real. The condition is often a result of struggling with difficult events or emotions. Without support, however, things will only get worse. The good news is that Priory can help you handle whatever life brings and start to repair your health and happiness.

Our experts have the knowledge and experience to help you start to manage the symptoms of anorexia athletica. We have already supported many others in similar situations to your own, helping them to feel significantly better and cope with everyday life again. You are just as capable of improving your own circumstances. You deserve to enjoy a healthier relationship with both food and yourself.

We know that any mental health challenge can feel daunting to talk about, but it is important for you to reach out. Opening up about your eating disorder, and seeking advice on appropriate treatment, is the first crucial step to getting better, enabling you to look forward to a more positive road ahead. You are already recognising that you need professional support, which is hugely important. As soon as you contact us, Priory can help you to start your recovery journey and change the course of your life for the better.

Signs that you may need anorexia athletica treatment with Priory

There are many different symptoms associated with eating disorders, which can be difficult to identify when you are in the middle of living through their impact. At Priory, we know exactly how to recognise the specific features of anorexia athletica, so that we can suggest the most effective course of treatment.

Anorexia athletica, also called sports anorexia, compulsive exercising or hypergymnasia, is an eating disorder which causes an obsession with exercising. If you are struggling with this, your condition has likely caused a fixation on body image, leading to you restricting your food intake to maintain a low weight.

These are the most common symptoms of anorexia athletica:

• An unhealthy fixation on excessive exercise
• An overpowering fear of putting on weight
• A distorted and negative body image

Anorexia athletica creates a strong focus on athletic performance, rather than trying to maintain a low weight mainly through restricting food and calorie consumption (as with anorexia nervosa). This means the signs of anorexia athletica can commonly be missed, as its dangers are masked by a pretence of healthy living and competing with the athleticism of others. People who have anorexia athletica often struggle with additional eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, which can complicate matters further.

No matter what you are going through, we can help you to move past your symptoms, recover your self-confidence and turn things around for the long-term. With Priory’s support, you can focus on working towards a more fulfilling future.

Anorexia athletica treatment with proven success at Priory

Our compassionate, experienced team hold no judgement and are passionate about helping you to achieve your personal goals. We have already helped many others to overcome the worst and enjoy a better quality of life.

Our approach to your recovery involves specialist techniques for eating disorder support, which have been proven to help improve your physical and emotional wellbeing. With your input, we will put together a treatment plan which works for you and your unique situation. Our programme of support aims to:

• Identify the deep-rooted beliefs which lead to unhealthy eating habits
• Confront and gradually reduce damaging behaviours
• Improve your relationship with food
• Improve your overall health, self-esteem and lifestyle, including addressing family-related issues
• Learn the skills to help you manage symptoms in the long-term

The type of treatment you will receive at Priory depends on your current needs and symptoms. We offer an inpatient (residential) programme for those requiring around-the-clock support, at Life Works.

Alternatively, day care allows you to access the same intensive level of therapy throughout the day, while continuing to live at home. We can also provide flexible outpatient treatment, with appointments you can fit around your other commitments. Read more about the types of eating disorder treatment.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anorexia athletica

CBT is a commonly-used method of treatment for eating disorders and many other mental health conditions, due to its effectiveness. It addresses the negative thought patterns behind eating disorders, which can help with anorexia athletica in the following ways:

• Identifying which specific deep-rooted beliefs have led to your condition, for example around food and body image
• Understanding why you hold these beliefs
• Challenging these negative beliefs and replacing them with healthier perceptions

By confronting these negative thought patterns, CBT can help you to change the behaviours associated with them. This will help you to make healthier choices around food and instil self-belief that you can recover from your current symptoms.

Expert treatment teams and environments dedicated to recovery

Our team of eating disorder experts have treated many other people with challenges just like yours, passing on the skills to manage long-term recovery. Many of our experts are published experts in the field of mental health.

Our specialists at Priory understand that eating disorders affect everyone differently. Your programme of support for anorexia athletica will consist of treatment for your own unique combination of complex symptoms. We want to ensure that you receive the best outcome possible, in line with your personal goals for the future. You will be made to feel as comfortable as possible every step of the way, and no decision will be taken without your full consent.

Nobody should have to struggle alone. We understand the perceived stigma of any mental health challenge, but we have seen many others in your situation move on from their eating disorder with renewed self-esteem and optimism. All you have to do is reach out for support. You have already taken the important step of acknowledging that you need help; let us help you to do the rest and start achieving your hopes for a brighter road ahead.

Crisis care at Priory

Priory’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that those in crisis can be signposted to the best possible support, as quickly as possible.