Atypical anorexia is an eating disorder that’s like anorexia nervosa. It’s often missed because people with atypical anorexia have a weight that’s average or above for their height, not under. But atypical anorexia can be a serious health concern. Treatment may include talk therapy, medication and hospitalization.
Atypical anorexia or atypical anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where people lose weight in ways that could be dangerous. It shares many symptoms with anorexia nervosa, like:
- Body image disturbance (thinking you weigh more than you do).
- Rapid, significant weight loss.
- Changes in eating and exercise habits.
But people with atypical anorexia had a higher body mass index (BMI) to start with. So, the outward signs of rapid weight loss may be less noticeable.
Atypical anorexia can cause serious medical and mental health conditions more serious than those caused by anorexia nervosa, partly because it’s harder to diagnose.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of atypical anorexia?
Atypical anorexia symptoms include:
- Binge eating (eating a lot at one time and losing control of how much food you eat).
- Eating less and skipping meals.
- Exercising more than you used to and too hard.
- Feeling anxious or having mood swings.
- Feeling tired.
- Finding it hard to pay attention.
- Not liking how your body looks.
- Taking laxatives to lose weight.
- Thinking about hurting yourself.
- Vomiting.
- Wanting to be thinner no matter what.
- Worrying about getting heavier.
Atypical anorexia can cause serious medical and mental health conditions more serious than those caused by anorexia nervosa, partly because it’s harder to diagnose.
What causes the condition of atypical anorexia?
Studies show that a mix of factors can cause atypical anorexia. These factors include:
- Genetics: Studies show that if eating disorders run in your family, you might have a higher chance of having one, too.
- Trauma: You might start eating less to manage feeling sad, angry or scared — or after bad (traumatic) experiences.
- Environment and culture: Pressure from society and culture to be thin can make you feel like you must be skinny, too.
- Peer pressure: For kids and teens, it’s tough if friends or others make fun of them for how they look. This pressure can make them want to lose weight at any cost.
- Emotional health: Trying to be perfect or having bad relationships can lead to low self-esteem (feeling bad about yourself). Low self-esteem can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
Management and Treatment
How do providers treat atypical anorexia?
Treating atypical anorexia involves working with a team including your provider, a nutrition expert and a therapist who knows a lot about eating disorders. They’ll help you and your family understand and manage the recovery process.
Would you like to learn more about disordered eating and how to cultivate a culture of nourishment and wellness? Check out our list of recommended books for those who are seeking information and support for disordered eating.
Depending on your current medical and mental health state, you may need to receive treatment while in the hospital. Treatment for atypical anorexia involves a combination of the following strategies:
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about food and body weight. It can also help you change how you respond to difficult situations. Options include individual, group and family therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps many people with eating disorders. This form of therapy helps you understand and change the thought patterns that drive your behavior and emotions.
- Medication: As people with eating disorders often have other conditions, providers often prescribe medication to treat them. Taking antidepressants or anxiolytics (antianxiety drugs) may help.
- Nutrition counseling: A registered nutritionist or registered dietitian who specializes in treating eating disorders can help improve your eating habits. They can also give you tips for grocery shopping and planning and cooking your meals.
Excerpted from “Atypical Anorexia” from the Cleveland Clinic. Read the full article online.
Source: The Cleveland Clinc | Anorexia Nervosa, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/atypical-anorexia | Ⓒ The Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed August 2024.
