Residential anorexia treatment
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Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia, is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder, characterised by restrictive eating, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
With the right support, it’s possible to overcome anorexia and get your life back on track. Seeking treatment as early as possible can prevent further harm and make a big difference for recovery.
The complexities and seriousness of anorexia mean residential care is the most effective treatment option. A team of highly trained specialists will address all aspects of your condition, and you’ll receive intensive therapy, nutritional support, and family involvement as part of your care.
How is anorexia diagnosed?
Getting an anorexia diagnosis is the first step towards you or your loved one accessing treatment and starting the recovery journey. The goal is never to judge, but to understand what’s going on so you can get the right help.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to be underweight to be diagnosed with anorexia – it can be diagnosed at any weight. This includes atypical anorexia, where someone has the psychological symptoms and behaviours of anorexia but is not considered underweight.
Diagnosing anorexia is a comprehensive process, carried out by a trained specialist. This includes:
Initial assessment
To recommend the best treatment option and gain a full picture of your individual circumstances and needs, a GP or specialist will ask some initial questions about your symptoms, such as:
- How much and how often you’re eating
- Whether you’re restricting food or exercising excessively
- If you’re abusing laxatives or making yourself vomit
- How you feel about your body and weight
- Whether you’re experiencing any dizziness, fatigue or missed periods
We offer a free, same-day eating disorder assessment at Life Works, our specialist eating disorder service in Surrey
Physical examination and lab tests
To assess your physical health and ensure you’re physically safe to begin treatment, a physical examination can also be carried out.
This may include measuring and assessing things like:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Vital signs like temperature and blood pressure
- Organ health tests such as liver, kidney or heart
- Muscle strength
- Blood and urine tests
Mental health evaluation
Treatment will be adapted to meet your unique needs. Understanding your mental state and any psychological factors contributing to your condition helps specialists to create the best treatment plan for you.
A mental health evaluation may include questions about:
- Your relationship with food, eating and control
- Thoughts around self-worth and identity
- Any mental health conditions you may be struggling with, such as anxiety, depression or obsessive thinking
- Any past trauma and current stressors that might be contributing to your eating disorder
Treatment for anorexia nervosa – what to expect
Treatment for anorexia is structured to support recovery across medical, psychological and nutritional areas.
This integrated approach gives you the best chance of regaining your physical health, developing a healthier relationship with food and addressing the deeper emotional roots of the condition.
Multidisciplinary approach
At Priory, a team of specialists with a wealth of experience in treating eating disorders will support every aspect of your recovery. Our specialists include:
- Psychiatrists - oversee diagnosis, medication and overall treatment planning
- Therapists and psychologists - provide evidence-based therapies to explore underlying thoughts, behaviours and emotions
- Dietitians and nutritionists - help restore healthy eating habits and work with you to reduce fear and anxiety around food
- Nurses and support staff - offer daily care, emotional support and ensure a safe environment during meals and recovery work
- Family therapists - may also be involved to work with the family, particularly with young people accessing treatment
Types of treatment
Depending on the severity of your condition and your individual needs, you can receive either residential or non-residential treatment for anorexia.
Non-residential treatment options:
- Outpatient treatment: for people who can manage daily life while attending regular therapy sessions. These usually take place once a week on a one-to-one basis
- Day care programme: you’ll attend a treatment centre for a set number of full or half-days each week, to receive structured therapy
Residential or inpatient treatment:
Inpatient treatment for anorexia is when you stay at a treatment centre for a residential basis to receive comprehensive, round-the-clock support.
This is the most effective treatment option for anorexia, as it allows you to step away from daily responsibilities and fully focus on your recovery.
Inpatient anorexia treatment offers:
- 24-hour care in a safe and welcoming environment
- Medical monitoring
- Intensive therapy with a range of therapeutic options
- Meal and post-meal support
- Bespoke exposure work
- Group and individual therapy
- Physical health monitoring
- Holistic interventions such as yoga and meditation
I've loved the journey. The change in me has been immense. All the therapists are absolutely amazing.
It's really motivated me to get on with my life, and excited me about the rest of my life.
What happens after inpatient treatment?
Recovery from anorexia is a gradual process and residential treatment is often only first step towards long-term healing.
After residential treatment, you’ll move through a step-down approach, meaning you’ll have the option to transition to less intensive support, such as day care or outpatient therapy. This allows you to integrate everything you’ve learned into your daily life, which can prevent relapse and ensure ongoing recovery.
Therapeutic approaches and family involvement
A wide range of effective therapeutic interventions are available depending on your individual circumstances:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E): a specific form of CBT that addresses unhealthy beliefs and behaviours associated with anorexia
- Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA): a type of talking therapy focused on understanding the function of anorexia and building motivation for recovery
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): designed to help you manage overwhelming emotions and build coping skills
- Psychodynamic therapy: explores deeper emotional patterns and experiences that may have contributed to the development of anorexia
- Interpersonal psychotherapy: explores the connection between relationships, feelings and eating behaviours
- Group therapy: peer support to reduce feelings of isolation and learn new coping skills
- Family-based treatment (FBT): designed to involve the whole family in helping people recover from anorexia
Will medication be used?
While there’s no specific medication to treat anorexia itself, drugs such as antidepressants or antipsychotics may be prescribed to support co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression or obsessive thoughts.
These medications can help you to manage some of the emotional and psychological symptoms that often accompany anorexia.
However, the effectiveness of these medications may be limited when someone is severely underweight, as malnutrition can interfere with how the body can process the medication. That’s why nutritional rehabilitation and therapy are a vital part of the treatment programme.
Taking the first step: how to get help
If you’re worried that you or someone you care about may have anorexia, the most important step is to seek support.
You can do that straight away by:
- Speaking to your GP, even if you’re unsure. They can listen, assess, and refer you to an eating disorder specialist if needed
- Private providers, such as Priory’s Life Works, offer free, same-day assessments so you can access professional advice and treatment options immediately
Anorexia treatment FAQs
What are the early signs of an eating disorder?
There are subtle signs and symptoms of an eating disorder that can be more difficult to recognise, such as:
- Showing a lot of interest in food and talking excessively about food
- Regimented eating habits
- Adding lots of condiments to food
- Wearing clothes that don’t fit
- Eating food in a particular way or mostly eating the same foods
- Fidgeting or chewing gum excessively
- Mood changes
- Skipping social situations, especially when they involve eating
How long does anorexia treatment take?
The length of anorexia treatment can vary depending on individual needs, the severity of your condition and the type of support you need. Because some people can take months or even years to recover, seeking treatment early is advisable
Our inpatient anorexia treatment programme is designed with flexibility in mind, offering tailored options from 7 to 42-day stays.
Will I have to go into hospital to receive treatment?
When you lose a lot of weight, the effects of starvation can affect your ability to think clearly and may put your health at risk. In these circumstances, it may be recommended that you're admitted to one of our specialist eating disorder clinics to receive intensive eating disorder help and treatment.
How does anorexia affect family life?
Anorexia can affect the whole family, not just the person who's struggling with this eating disorder. Your loved ones may find it hard to understand that an eating disorder is actually about feelings and coping, rather than food itself. This can lead to misunderstandings, arguments and stress, particularly at mealtimes.
That’s why, at Priory, we make sure that family and friends are involved throughout your anorexia treatment and recovery process. We know that it’s helpful for relatives to understand that your eating habits are your way of coping with emotional difficulties and that you may have mixed feelings about changing your eating patterns. Our family support sessions allow you the opportunity to explore your difficult emotions with your loved ones in an open and honest way. This means that those who are closest to you can be involved in tackling your anorexia.
