What is anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa, usually referred to as just anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by extreme food restriction and an intense fear of weight gain. Many people with anorexia are at a low weight, but it also affects people who appear at a “normal” weight, as well as those in large bodies.
Anorexia is serious and can be life-threatening if left untreated, but lasting recovery is possible with the right treatment. 
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Signs and symptoms of anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is perhaps the most commonly known eating disorder, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easy to spot. Understanding the many red flags and subtle signs can help you recognize a problem in yourself or someone you love.
Physical symptoms
- Significant or rapid weight loss
- Lack of expected weight gain (or falling off growth chart)
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycle
- Constipation, abdominal pain, or other gastrointestinal issues
- Lightheadedness or low blood pressure
- Feeling cold often
Psychological symptoms
- Increased anxiety
- Increased depressive symptoms
- Obsessive or repetitive thought patterns
- Social withdrawal
- Perfectionism
- Trouble expressing emotions
Food-related symptoms
- Restricting the quantity or types of food eaten
- Avoiding eating in front of others
- Hiding when and what food is eaten
- Counting calories, weighing and measuring food
- Obsessively checking nutrition labels
- Strict eating rituals, like cutting food into tiny pieces or eating in a set order
Exercise-related symptoms
- Exercising excessively or compulsively
- An inflexible fitness schedule
- Exercising through injury, sickness, or poor weather
- Using exercise to “make up for” or “earn” food
- Recording physical activity excessively
- Skipping social plans, school, or work to exercise
Body image symptoms
- A preoccupation with body shape and size
- Distorted body image (e.g., seeing one’s body as larger than it is
- Frequently looking in the mirror or pinching skin
- A belief that one’s self-worth is tied to body size or shape
- Fear of gaining weight
- Frequent weighing
Learn more about anorexia and its symptoms on our blog.
Concerned you or a loved one may have anorexia?
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People who exhibit some of these symptoms but don’t meet criteria for an official diagnosis are said to have “subthreshold anorexia.” A subthreshold eating disorder is still dangerous and should be treated.What is atypical anorexia?
Atypical anorexia is characterized by the same symptoms that define anorexia nervosa—fear of gaining weight, severe food restriction, and excessive physical activity—but without low body weight. Someone with atypical anorexia meets all the diagnostic criteria for anorexia, except they’re at what’s considered a “normal” or “above-normal” weight.
At Equip, we avoid using the term “atypical anorexia” because it falsely indicates less severity and sounds misleadingly rare (in reality, more people meet the criteria for “atypical anorexia” than anorexia nervosa.) 
What does anorexia treatment look like?
Effective treatment for anorexia typically happens in three key phases:
1. Restoring nutrition
The first priority is to stabilize physical health by normalizing eating patterns, stopping food restriction, and restoring weight when needed.2. Addressing underlying issues
Once nutritional stability is achieved, treatment focuses on other factors such as body image, emotional regulation, social functioning, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
3. Preparing for life after treatment
In the final phase, patients work with their care team to build a relapse prevention plan and develop strategies to support long-term recovery.
No waitlist
Insurance coverage in all 50 states
Equip provides anorexia care that works – from home
Equip offers virtual anorexia treatment with no waitlist and insurance coverage in all 50 states, so you can start right away. Our evidence-based, comprehensive approach is designed for real life—less disruptive, more accessible, and proven to support lasting recovery.Common questions about anorexia
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What are common anorexia treatment outcomes?
A key goal in anorexia treatment is weight restoration—reaching a healthy, sustainable weight for a person’s body. Other outcomes include reducing restrictive eating and co-occurring issues like anxiety or depression.
Among Equip patients:
improve to subclinical levels of symptoms by week 52
reach their weight restoration goal by week 16
reach their weight restoration goal by discharge
Learn more about anorexia treatment outcomes at Equip
Concerned? Learning more is a great first step.
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