Anorexia

Anorexia is a serious eating disorder characterised by restrictive eating behaviors, altered body perception, and an intense need for control, often accompanied by significant medical and psychological risks.

At THE BALANCE, anorexia is understood not as a weight-related condition, but as a complex interaction between nervous system regulation, trauma, identity, control, and physiological survival mechanisms. Care is individualized, medically governed, and integrated across disciplines.

UNDERSTANDING ANOREXIA

Anorexia often develops as a response to:

• overwhelming emotional experiences
• chronic stress or high expectations
• trauma or loss of control
• perfectionism or identity strain
• difficulty regulating internal states

Restrictive eating may initially create a sense of order or relief, but over time becomes self-reinforcing and dangerous.

HOW ANOREXIA MAY PRESENT

Anorexia may present in different ways, including:

• persistent restriction of food intake
• rigid eating rules or rituals
• fear of weight gain or loss of control
• distorted body perception
• emotional numbness or detachment
• physical weakness, fatigue, or medical instability
• continued high functioning despite severe internal strain

Medical risk may exist even when outward functioning appears intact.

ANOREXIA IN ADULT & COMPLEX PRESENTATIONS

At THE BALANCE, anorexia is often seen alongside:

• trauma or developmental adversity
• anxiety or obsessive-compulsive patterns
• depression or burnout
• perfectionism or identity-related distress
• chronic nervous system dysregulation

Anorexia is approached within the full psychological, relational, and physiological context.

A MEDICALLY GOVERNED & TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH

Anorexia requires careful medical oversight combined with psychological and nervous system support. Care therefore focuses on:

• physical stabilisation and safety
• restoring physiological regulation
• addressing underlying trauma and control dynamics
• rebuilding trust in the body and internal signals

Treatment is paced, structured, and closely monitored.

HOW ANOREXIA IS APPROACHED AT THE BALANCE

Care is:

• assessment-led and individualized
• multidisciplinary and tightly coordinated
• trauma-informed across all disciplines
• attentive to medical, psychological, and nutritional factors

Treatment may include psychotherapy, psychiatric care, medical oversight, nutritional rehabilitation, neurobiological and somatic approaches, and structured recovery environments – integrated into a cohesive plan.

THE ROLE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM & BIOLOGY

Anorexia involves profound nervous system dysregulation. This may include:

• chronic threat activation
• altered hunger and satiety signalling
• emotional numbing or hypercontrol
• physiological conservation responses

Supporting regulation is essential for both psychological and physical recovery.

RESIDENTIAL & OUTPATIENT CONTEXTS

Depending on medical risk and complexity, care may be provided within:

• Individualized Residential Care
• Small-Group Residential Care
• Medical Stabilisation & Detox (where indicated)
• Outpatient & Continuity of Care

Level of care is guided by safety, stability, and individual readiness.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON RECOVERY

Recovery from anorexia is gradual and non-linear. Progress may include:

• restored medical stability
• increased tolerance for nourishment
• improved emotional awareness
• reduced rigidity and control needs
• rebuilding identity beyond the disorder

Care focuses on long-term integration rather than short-term weight targets.

NEXT STEPS

If restrictive eating, control around food, or medical instability are present, our admissions team can provide confidential guidance and help determine appropriate next steps.