Eating disorders are serious illnesses that affect eating behaviour, physical health and emotional wellbeing. They can affect people of any gender, age or body size. Recovery is possible with appropriate care.
This article focuses on anorexia nervosa. Other eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). [1]
Seek help early: If eating, weight or exercise concerns are affecting daily life, arrange a medical assessment. You do not need to wait until someone looks underweight.
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake, leading to a weight that is significantly low for the person’s age, development and health, alongside intense fear of weight gain or behaviours that prevent weight gain. A person’s experience of their weight or shape may be distorted, and they may find it difficult to recognise how unwell they are. [1]
Appearance alone cannot show how serious an eating disorder is. People at higher weights can also have dangerous restriction and weight loss. Treatment decisions should not depend on BMI alone. [4]
Patterns of anorexia nervosa
Some people mainly restrict food intake. Others also experience binge-eating or purging behaviours. Patterns can change over time. A clinician assesses the whole picture rather than relying on a symptom checklist. [1]
Why does anorexia develop?
There is no single cause. Genetic, biological, psychological and social factors can interact. An eating disorder is not a choice or a failure of willpower, and blaming the person or their family is unhelpful. [1] [4]
Signs and symptoms
Possible signs include:
- Increasing food restriction, missed meals or rigid eating rules.
- Intense worries about weight gain, frequent body checking or avoiding meals with others.
- Excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting or misuse of weight-control medicines.
- Weight loss, or slower-than-expected growth in children and teenagers.
- Feeling cold, dizzy or unusually tired; constipation, hair loss or changes in menstrual periods.
- Withdrawing socially or becoming distressed around food.
These signs can have other causes and require professional assessment. Not everyone has every symptom. [2]
When to get urgent help
Collapse, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, severe dehydration or immediate risk of suicide or self-harm need urgent medical attention. In an emergency in India, call 112 or attend the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for an online appointment response. [4] [5]
How is anorexia treated?
Care usually combines physical-health monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation and psychological treatment. The plan should reflect the person’s age, health, needs and preferences. Some people require hospital care when their physical health or safety is seriously compromised. [3]
- Medical care: Clinicians assess physical and mental health and may arrange blood tests and a heart tracing (ECG).
- Nutritional support: A suitably experienced team helps restore adequate nutrition. After substantial restriction, restarting nutrition can require close monitoring for refeeding complications. Seek prompt medical advice rather than attempting a restrictive or unsupervised recovery regimen.
- Psychological therapy: Adults may be offered an eating-disorder-focused therapy such as CBT, MANTRA or specialist supportive clinical management.
- Family support: Children and teenagers are often offered family therapy for anorexia, with a therapist helping carers support recovery. Families should not criticise appearance, shame the person or try to treat the illness through pressure alone.
- Activity and medicines: Excessive exercise should stop; ask the treating team what activity is safe. Medicines may address associated conditions, but do not replace nutritional and psychological care.
Supporting someone you care about
Speak calmly about your concern for their wellbeing, listen without judgement and offer to accompany them to an assessment. Follow the care team’s advice about meals and ongoing support. [2]
Seeking care at Ahana
For a non-urgent enquiry, request an appointment or call +91 90060 06000 to discuss assessment and the appropriate care pathway. For younger people, see Child & Adolescent Care. The team can advise on available services and any specialist referral needed.
This information supports general understanding and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Sources
- NIMH: Eating Disorders — What You Need to Know.
- NHS: Anorexia nervosa — Symptoms.
- NHS: Anorexia nervosa — Treatment.
- NICE NG69: Eating disorders — Recognition and treatment.
- Government of India: Emergency Response Support System — 112.
Editorial update: 4 October 2026.