Anorexia nervosa (aka "anorexia") is a type of eating disorder characterized by an obsessive fear of being overweight and compulsive under eating, sometimes to the point of starvation. Sufferers will usually present as obviously underweight and may still insist that they are "fat".
Drug treatment for anorexia is focused on treating the underlying psychological problem, which in turn will lead to healthier eating habits and self-treatment of the physical problem.
Common conditions often present alongside anorexia are anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Such psychological disorders may play a role in the onset of anorexia, and so their treatment may be one of the first steps toward anorexia treatment. Drugs such as chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic, and certain antidepressants can balance chemicals in the brain and relieve contributing psychological symptoms.
Some research has suggested that a zinc deficiency may contribute to anorexia, due to its association with depression, weight loss, and other appetite disorders. Zinc supplementation has shown promise as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Drug treatment alone is not appropriate for anorexics, due to the high risk of self-harm and the distorted self-image most patients carry. It is, however, an important component of a comprehensive treatment plan that should include psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, and dietary supplementation.
The information provided on www.drugtreatment.co is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. We encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician or nutritionist if they have any concerns regarding health issues related to diet, personal image and any other topics discussed on this site. Neither the owners or employees of www.drugtreatment.co nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
SupportGroups.com provides a support network for those facing life's challenges. Click on the following links to get the support in a confidential, caring environment.
Selected Support Groups
