Anorexia Nervosa: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. People avoid food or eat very small amounts. They may see themselves as overweight even when dangerously underweight. A psychiatrist, a doctor who treats mental illness, usually leads care. A psychologist gives talk therapy. A primary care doctor watches weight. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. People with it avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of only certain foods. They may see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight. It is the least common of the three eating disorders, but it is often the most serious.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
- Eating very little, to the point of starving yourself.
- Intensive and excessive exercise.
- Extreme thinness.
- Intense fear of gaining weight.
- Seeing yourself as fat even when you are severely underweight.
Over time, it can cause many health problems. These include thinning of the bones, muscle wasting and weakness, and thin brittle hair and nails. Other problems are dry or yellowish skin, severe constipation, low blood pressure, and slowed breathing and pulse. People may feel cold all the time, or feel faint or tired. It can also damage the heart. MedlinePlus notes it can also cause infertility, brain damage, and multiorgan failure.
Causes and who gets it
Many factors may be involved, including genes, hormones, and social attitudes that push very thin body types. Risk factors include thinking a lot about weight and body shape. Another is having an anxiety disorder as a child. Another is a poor self-image. Some people had eating problems in early childhood. Others try to be perfect. It often begins in the pre-teen or teen years or young adulthood. It is more common in females but can also be seen in males.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor starts with a medical history and a physical exam. Blood or urine tests help rule out other causes of weight loss. One example is a thyroid problem. Other tests check for harm the disorder has caused. These may include kidney tests and an EKG, a test that records the heart's electrical signals. A bone density test checks for thin bones.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to restore a normal body weight and normal eating habits. Care is shaped to fit each person. Most people have a team: doctors, nutritionists, nurses, and therapists. Treatment may include:
- Individual, group, or family talk therapy. One kind, cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people change negative thoughts.
- Medical care and monitoring for problems the disorder causes, such as fluid loss, low potassium, or heart problems.
- Nutrition counseling to reach and keep a healthy weight.
- Medicines such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers. MedlinePlus notes that no medicine has been proven to reduce the wish to lose weight.
Some people need a hospital stay. Others need a live-in treatment program. With severe malnutrition, food may be given through a vein or a stomach tube.
When to see a doctor
Get help if someone you care about thinks about weight all the time, works out too much, eats very little, or is very underweight. Getting help right away can make the disorder less severe. If a person has severe depression or thoughts of suicide, they need help immediately. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away. If someone has attempted suicide, call 911 right away and do not leave them alone. Call 911 right away if a person with anorexia nervosa faints, has chest pain, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, is confused or hard to wake, or has an uneven or very slow heartbeat. The disorder can harm the heart and upset body salts.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can do a first evaluation, order blood tests, and track weight over time. They can also set up care with the psychiatrist, therapist, and dietitian.
Common questions
Can anorexia nervosa be cured?
Yes. Anorexia nervosa can be treated successfully. Early detection and treatment are important for a full recovery. Relapse is common, so long-term care may be needed to stay at a healthy weight.
Is anorexia nervosa dangerous?
Yes. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening. Complications can include heart rhythms that turn dangerous, weak bones, infections, and thoughts of suicide. Some people die of complications from starvation and others die of suicide.
Who gets anorexia nervosa?
It often begins in the pre-teen or teen years or young adulthood. It is more common in females, but males can get it too. Anyone can develop an eating disorder.
Do medicines treat anorexia nervosa?
Medicines can help some people. These include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. They may help with depression or anxiety. But no medicine has been proven to decrease the desire to lose weight.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Anorexia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- MedlinePlus - Eating Disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health - Eating Disorders
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
