How is Anorexia Treated?
(and what are the gaps?)
So far in this blog series, I have described what anorexia is and described some of its risks. In this post, I will talk about some of the treatments that are commonly used in anorexia recovery, though it is not an exhaustive list. Additional treatments like family-based therapy, dietician support, and group counselling are also popular and available. If you're interested in learning more, I encourage you to look at local resources such as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and Looking Glass Foundation websites.
Anorexia and AI Series
If you haven't done so yet, I encourage you to go back and read the first three articles in this series on anorexia and AI. The link to each is below:
Types of Treatment
There are many types of treatment for anorexia, but more research is needed to support stronger recovery rates. Here is a description of some common clinical treatment options, and some of the areas that they could each be improved. Please note, I do not necessarily provide all of these types of treatment, though some elements may be included in your personalized approach.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient programs are recommended for severe cases of anorexia and typically involve nutritional rehabilitation alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, long wait times, rigid eligibility criteria, and a lack of personalized care can make these programs feel inaccessible or impersonal.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the most researched treatment for AN and focuses on restructuring disordered thoughts and behaviors. While effective for many, dropout rates are high, and long-term recovery remains unclear. Emotional dysregulation and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing emotions) are common in AN, yet CBT often lacks interventions targeting these issues.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy helps individuals confront fears related to food, body image, and eating environments. Techniques like food exposure and mirror exposure have shown promise, but adoption among clinicians remains limited due to concerns about patient distress.
Externalization
Externalization involves separating the eating disorder from the individual, often through imagery or metaphor. This technique can help individuals reclaim their identity and build autonomy over their disorder. However, it requires careful timing and personalization to avoid feelings of invalidation.
The Need for Innovation
Recovery from AN is challenging, and current treatment options often fall short. The next post in this series will explore some interesting ways that AI has been used to support counselling, and bring forward ideas about how these innovations might support the treatment of eating disorders including anorexia.
Share Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on the current state of anorexia nervosa treatment? What other issues and gaps have you seen in your practice?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you or someone you know is struggling with anorexia nervosa, remember that help is available.
Recovery is challenging, but it is possible with the right support.
Duggan, H. C., Hardy, G., & Waller, G. (2025). Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for outpatients with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical effectiveness. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 0(0), 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2025.2465745 Gan, J. K. E., Wu, V. X., Chow, G., Chan, J. K. Y., & Klainin-Yobas, P. (2022). Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on individuals with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(1), 44–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2021.05.031
Gaudiani, J. L. (2018). Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders (1st edition). Routledge.
MacDonald, D. E., McFarlane, T., & Trottier, K. (2020). Chapter 22: Eating disorders. In J. E. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.), Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding (5th Edition, pp. 495–521). Routledge.
Russell, H., Aouad, P., Le, A., Marks, P., Maloney, D., National Eating Disorder Research Consortium, Touyz, S., & Maguire, S. (2023). Psychotherapies for eating disorders: Findings from a rapid review. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1), 175. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00886-w
Solmi, M., Wade, T. D., Byrne, S., Del Giovane, C., Fairburn, C. G., Ostinelli, E. G., De Crescenzo, F., Johnson, C., Schmidt, U., Treasure, J., Favaro, A., Zipfel, S., & Cipriani, A. (2021). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychological interventions for the treatment of adult outpatients with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(3), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30566-6