How is anorexia diagnosed?
Individuals with anorexia do not worry about their weight loss. Therefore, they generally do not seek professional help. Parents, other relatives, or friends are often responsible for getting the necessary help for the family member suffering from anorexia. The diagnosis of anorexia is made when the anorexic either loses fifteen percent (15%) of their weight or when the growing child fails to acquire eighty-five percent (85%) of the minimal weight for their particular age and height. As mentioned above, young people with anorexia do not see themselves as overly thin, and they gain a great sense of achievement by keeping themselves trim. A history of excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, and the overuse of laxatives or diuretics helps the mental health professional make a diagnosis of anorexia. How is anorexia treated? Individual and/or group therapy is important for those with anorexia. Group members can offer each other valuable support in monitoring eating and weight gain and in
