Treatment and management of anorexia nervosa.

Treatment and management of anorexia nervosa

-difficult because people believe there is nothing wrong with them
-early stages( < 6 months),successful treatment without being admitted to hospital
-serious anorexia need to be admitted in special ward for anorexia and bulimia patients
(counselling for a year or so to change feelings about eating habits)
(medications prescribed by doctor)


Pharmacological and Medical Treatment

• In the past, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) & neuroleptics however not effective.

• Currently, atypical antipsychotics are being investigated (olanzapine)-antidepressants
-A greater rate of increase in weight, earlier achievement of target body-mass index, and a greater
rate of decrease of obsessive symptoms.
-Serious adverse effects associated with olanzapine, including excessive weight gain, hyperglycemia, and diabetes, are linked to high-dose, long-term therapy and do not apply to short-term treatment with a smaller dose.

• Intravenous feeding( aim to gain 1-3 pounds/wk)
-amino acid/electrolytes/glycerine injection

Psychological Treatment
1. CBT
2. Group Therapy
• - several patients meet with one or more therapists at the same time. The patients form a support
Group for each other as well as receiving expert care and advice.

3. Family Therapy
- psychotherapy designed to identify family patterns that contribute to a behavior disorder or mental illness and help family members break those habits

CAM
• Aromatherapy-lessen anxiety and soothe nervousness
-bergamot, basil, Roman chamomile,c lary sage, lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang

• Ayurvedic medicine-cardamom,fennel, and ginger root
-stop vomiting, improve digestion

-practitioners massage head and feet with warm sesame oil to calm nervous system.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)
-acupuncture
-promote feelings of well-being and by balancing body’s chi and energy lvls.

• Yoga & Meditation
-enhance emotional control and restore peace of mind
-build chi(vital energy), improve body awareness, stimulate and tone digestive system.

• Herbal Therapy
-ginger root, ginseng
-stimulate appetite.

• Hydrotherapy
-apply hot and cold towels on front and back of body, focusing on lower back and abdomen.



References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/577666
http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/page5.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/amino_acid-electrolytes-glycerin-injection/article.htm
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/eating/063.html
http://www.americanchronicle/articles/view/50263