TREATING ANOREXIA NERVOSA

The initial and primary goal in treating anorexia is to get the patient to gain weight. This can be an excruciatingly slow, painstaking process because nothing is more horrifying to this person than the idea of getting fat. Often, inpatient treatment is needed to guide—or sometimes, unfortunately, force—the person to take in nutrients to save their life. Several experts I interviewed said that even a miniscule amount of weight gain—say, Vu of a pound—is an achievement. Forcing an anorectic to gain too much weight at once can completely backfire. Adding a single bagel during the course of a week can be a major milestone. This is not how nutritionists favor treatment, but sometimes it is the only realistic option, and reality—solutions—are what you're after.

Once you've begun therapy, you may discover that your problem is serious enough that it warrants traveling some distance to a more comprehensive and experienced treatment team. Some of the organizations listed at the end of this chapter can help you find nearby experts.

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General health