Menu
EN
EN DE

Private and confidential

How would you like to contact us?

Your admissions team

Jil Moore
Jil MooreClient Relations Director
Cynthia Nakhle
Cynthia NakhleAdmissions Manager
Phone+41 44 500 5111 WhatsAppStart a private chat SMSSend a message Email[email protected]

Private and confidential

Contact THE BALANCE

Clinical resource

How To Recover From Atypical Anorexia

People with atypical anorexia are usually not underweight. What is atypical anorexia? It is a condition similar to anorexia nervosa but is also different in many ways.

Written by THE BALANCE

Medically reviewed byDr. Sarah Boss, MD
Stone residence with a swimming pool, lawn and palm trees

Quick Summary

  • Atypical anorexia involves restrictive eating and significant weight loss, even when body weight or BMI remains within or above the normal range.
  • Signs may include low energy, digestive problems, hair loss, food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Early professional care may involve age-appropriate psychotherapy, carefully prescribed medication for some co-occurring conditions, and peer support alongside medical monitoring.

Eating disorders are a range of behavioral conditions that affect a person’s eating patterns. Distressful emotions and thoughts accompany them. It is a common misconception that such disorders are a choice or extreme form of dieting to lose weight. In reality, they are very serious and affect a person’s mental and physical health. Additionally, people who develop eating disorders may also experience an inability to focus on work and maintaining relationships. Often, they are also excluded from social gatherings and may be isolated due to their habits, health issues, and changes in appearance. There are multiple eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. According to statistics, such behavioral conditions are mostly seen but not limited to women. People usually develop eating disorders around the period of adolescence or during their pre-teen years. If not treated, these disorders can continue to worsen and may result in death.

People affected by the mentioned behavioral conditions have fluctuations in weight. A person with anorexia or bulimia nervosa may lose a drastic amount of weight in a short time. Even after a significant weight loss, many find it unable to stop. As a result, they have a very low body mass index (BMI) and body weight. However, this does not always happen. Another misconception regarding eating disorders is that an affected person always has exceptionally low weight, which is not true. People with atypical anorexia are usually not underweight. What is atypical anorexia? It is a condition similar to anorexia nervosa but is also different in many ways. This article provides information on atypical anorexia, its symptoms, and its treatment. Continue reading if you have signs similar to anorexia nervosa but have a normal BMI.

Atypical anorexia symptoms can be tricky to spot, especially since they resemble signs of anorexia nervosa. People often associate their symptoms with other health issues due to the popular image of eating disorders. However, recognizing signs of atypical anorexia is important as they can become severe over time.

Physical Symptoms

People with atypical anorexia restrict themselves and their diets just as much as those with bulimia nervosa or other eating disorders. Therefore, they are likely to experience the following physical signs:

  • Weakened immune system
  • Significant weight loss in a short period while still having a normal or high BMI
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Low levels of energy
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Dry and yellow skin
  • Hair fall
  • Bloating

Behavioral Symptoms

Atypical anorexia differs from anorexia nervosa because based on body weight and BMI. The emotional and behavioral symptoms are typically the same and include:

  • Inability to concentrate and stay focused
  • Distorted body image
  • Placing self-worth in physical appearance
  • Consistently thinking about body shape, weight, and size
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Low self-esteem
  • Restricting diet and refusing to eat
  • Not eating in front of other people
  • Hyper monitoring calories, food intake, and nutritional content of food
  • Irritability, agitation, and mood swings

Many people with atypical anorexia are unaware of having a behavioral issue. Most will believe that since they are not underweight, they are not sick. Consequently, they will refuse to get help for their condition.

Long-Term Effects of Atypical Anorexia

Many undermine the intensity and dangers of atypical anorexia. Even if affected people appear normal, they can still develop life-long medical issues if they do not get treatment. Some of the psychological and physical problems that accompany atypical anorexia are:

  • Muscle loss
  • Lowered bone density
  • Extreme nutritional deficiencies
  • Damaged vital organs
  • Cardiovascular issues
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
  • Suicide ideation and self-injury
  • Drug abuse
  • Death

People with atypical anorexia are often deemed obese or overweight before developing an eating disorder. Eventually, they lose weight, and their BMI comes under the normal range, but their symptoms worsen. In such cases, the affected person can become underweight and get a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. With this development, the associated health risks also increase.

Getting treatment early for eating disorders is important to increase the chances of recovery. Since people with illnesses like atypical anorexia also have other mental issues, going to a specialist is mandatory. A therapist or counselor can assist a person recover from an eating disorder with different treatments, including:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapies are highly effective in controlling eating disorders in people. Based on a person’s age, sex, and physical/mental health, a specialist may recommend a specific form of therapy for higher chances of success. For instance, family-based treatments are more suitable for adolescents and children with atypical anorexia or other behavioral disorders. In this type, parents or caregivers take the responsibility of monitoring the affected person’s diet. Adults appear to respond better to cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT is another form of psychotherapy in which a person can learn to identify patterns in their behaviors and actions. Under the guidance of a specialist, it is possible to eliminate negative thoughts or triggers over time and recover from atypical anorexia.

Medications

Certain medicines such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics may help with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders like depression. However, specialists prescribe medications in specific cases only. Please do not use any medicines without a prescription as they are harmful and may have the opposite effect. Secondly, self-medication in cases of eating disorders leads to and dependency.

Support Groups

Group therapy or support groups bring together people suffering from similar illnesses. In behavioral disorder treatments, community bonding helps keep people persistent in their treatment. Due to depression and anxiety, a person may be discouraged from getting therapy for their issue and consistently miss his sessions or forget to take medicine. Having a group and learning about other people’s experiences tends to be motivating. Secondly, group therapies also aid people who struggle to follow their specialist’s instructions.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people develop atypical anorexia?
There are different reasons a person may develop atypical anorexia or any other eating disorder. In most cases, psychological factors, including preexisting conditions like low-self esteem and depression, are the culprit. Some people may also have a genetic disposition to developing behavioral disorders. A history of trauma, abuse, and tough childhood can also contribute to the condition. It is important to remember that eating disorders are not limited to a certain age group. People can develop this condition at any age due to body shaming, humiliation, and other factors.
What is the difference between anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia?
The distinction between anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia is based on body weight. People with the latter have normal or high BMI even after weight loss, but there is not much difference in the causes and symptoms. Keep in mind that both of these conditions are equally serious and dangerous. They can negatively impact mental and physical health and require immediate medical attention.
Do rehabs treat people with eating disorders?
Rehabs offer facilities and treatment plans that may help someone with atypical anorexia. Since people with eating disorders also have other mental disorders, inpatient therapy at a facility is a good idea. Secondly, those who develop drug s due to their conditions are highly recommended to join a rehab.
Is It Possible for Atypical Anorexia To Go Away On Its Own?
It is difficult to treat atypical anorexia at home as it is a complicated condition. Since depression and anxiety accompany the illness, it is better to rely on professional help rather than trying to overcome an eating disorder at home. Also, treatment is impossible without prescription medication in some cases. Using medicine without recommendation and guidance at home is not recommended. Do not try anything at home that can be potentially harmful.
How Can You Help A Loved One With Atypical Anorexia?
The first step to helping a friend or family member is by assisting them in recognizing their symptoms. Discuss weight, body image issues, food, eating problems, or even famous anorexics with the person to help them understand their condition. It is better to have multiple conversations than one long conversation as it is more effective. After the person has accepted their issue, suggest they get professional help for their condition instead of trying things at home. Find rehabs, specialists, and groups with your loved one and provide consistent support. Remember, it is hard to get help for behavioral disorders. Be empathetic throughout the process, and do not be harsh.

Editorial evidence

Evidence & sources

Selected clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed research, and public-health sources used in this article.

01World Health Organization. (2019). International classification of diseases 11th revision (ICD-11).View source
02National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Comorbidity: Substance use and other mental disorders. National Institutes of Health.View source
03Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). National helpline.View source
View all 14 sourcesShow fewer sources
04U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). FindTreatment.gov.View source
05National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Eating disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.View source
06American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What are eating disorders?.View source
07National Health Service. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa. NHS.View source
08National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2017). Eating disorders: Recognition and treatment (NICE guideline NG69).View source
09StatPearls Publishing. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa. In StatPearls. National Library of Medicine.View source
10National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Comorbidity: Substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. National Institutes of Health.View source
11MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Eating disorders. National Library of Medicine.View source
12Golden, N. H., Cheng, J., & Kapphahn, C. J. (2019). Higher caloric intake in hospitalised adolescents with anorexia nervosa is associated with reduced length of stay and no increased rate of refeeding syndrome. JAMA Pediatrics.View source
13National Health Service. (2023). Anorexia nervosa.View source
14Katzman, D. K., Stevens, K., & Norris, M. L. (2017). Redefining feeding and eating disorders: What is atypical anorexia nervosa?. Current Psychiatry Reports.View source
ConditionAnorexia NervosaTherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)ProgramMedical & Psychiatric CareTherapyTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
What this includes
01

Clinical context

Clear information is framed around complex and co-occurring presentations.

02

Individual factors

Assessment remains essential because needs and risks differ from person to person.

03

Next steps

A confidential conversation can help clarify the most appropriate route forward.

Not sure where the situation fits?

Your admissions team

Jil Moore
Jil MooreClient Relations Director
Cynthia Nakhle
Cynthia NakhleAdmissions Manager

A confidential first conversation can help clarify the presentation and whether our setting is appropriate.

Next

Sister topics

Clinical resourceAnorexia self-assessmentExplore →Clinical resourceDifferent Types of Eating DisordersExplore →Clinical resourceRestrictive eating self-assessmentExplore →Clinical resourceBurnout StagesExplore →Clinical resourceUnderstanding Eating DisorderExplore →Clinical resourceEmotional CrisisExplore →