Anorexia

What is Anorexia?

Serious mental health condition which is an eating disorder in which people keep their body weight as low as possible

Symptoms of Anorexia

Tooth Decay Engagement in high impact activities Hard skin on knuckles Excessive weight loss Lying to others about food consumption Find it difficult to think about anything else but food Lying to others about weight loss Periods stop Growth of fine hair on body Pain in abdomen Swelling in hands and feet Intolerance to cold Light headed/dizzy

Causes of Anorexia

Environmental factors - hormonal changes, stress, anxiety, low self esteem Media - messages portrayed in media on 'how to look' Pressures and stress at school/work A stressful life event e.g. losing a job Difficulty with family relationships Physical/sexual abuse

Treatment for Anorexia

Usually involves a combination of psychological therapy and supervised weight gain Health care professionals include; specialist counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, specialist nurses, dieticians and paediatricians (children and teens)) Before treatment, MDT team will carry out assessments and develop a care plan Most are treated as an outpatient but some may need to be a specialist centre or in hospital

Psychological Treatments

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) - focuses on unhealthy patterns of behaviour and thinking that is caused by the past Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - how situation affects how we act/behave. How we think about a situation and its affects. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) - focuses on relationships with others Focal Psychodynamic Therapy - focuses on past experiences Family Interventions - how the family of the patient can support the patient and deal with the illness that the patient has.  Compulsory Treatment - doctors may decide to admit the person to hospital 

Lifestyle Changes

People who have suffered from anorexia can be advices from specialist organisations and doctors on a diet plans Could do some gentle exercise to keep health maintained Get enough sleep - make sure that body is 'fully charged' as some may suffer from insomnia

Physical Impacts

On patient - having brittle fingernails, dry/chapped lips, may have hair loss (conscious about body image), may be malnourished, low self esteem On family/carers - find it difficult to look at the patient because of them being malnourised, may become tired/exhausted from looking after the patient

Intellectual Impacts

On patient - may be unable to concentrate on work, may be unable to adapt new skills, may want to find out more information about illness On family/carers - may find out more information about patients illness so they are able to support them, may find it hard to concentrate

Emotional Impacts

On patient - may develop depression and anxiety which will have t o be treated with therapies. they may get upset and angry about their body image, might have low self esteem which can make them feel guilty On carers/family - may find it difficult to cope with patient's illness and could become depressed, may feel stressed

Social Impacts

On patient - may not want to go out and socialise, may lose close relationships, may end up isolating themselves, lose contact with family/friends On family/carers - may want to stay at home to look after patient which could affect their social life, may lose close relationship with the patient

Financial Impacts

On patient - could become expensive for them to change their diet, lose out on income if they are not well enough to go to work or that they are admitted to hospital, may have to rely on benefits On family/carers - they may have a higher outgoing due to supporting the patient financially, may have to have time off of work to care for the patient

Patient Centred Care

The patient will be put at centre of the process They will be involved in decision making as an equal partner Show understanding and compassion for patient Patient treated with dignity and respect Patient will be more engaged and involved in their own care Patient will be able to make appropriate life style changes Will be educated about their illness Enables them to make informed choices Empowered to access further sources of support as and when needed to prevent relapse e.g BEAT

Patient Care Pathway

Patient Care Pathway

Assessment including BMI, assessment of level of physical risks and are presenting symptoms of Anorexia.If patient is underweight (75% of ideal body weight) there will be full hospitalisation for medical stabilisation and weight restoration.After this, there will be an evaluation of the causes of body loss and why it has happened.There will be partial hospitalisation to restore weight to at least 90% of ideal body weight through CBT.Outpatient psychotherapy (such as CBT and CAT)