Symptoms used to diagnose
The ruleRestricting food leading to significantly low body weight, with intense fear of gaining weight and disturbance in how weight or shape is experienced.
Symptoms
- Restriction of energy intake
- Intense fear of weight gain
- Distorted body image
- Not recognising the seriousness of low weight
- Excessive exercise
- Restricting or binge–purge subtypes
How diagnosis works
- Significantly low body weight due to restriction.
- Intense fear of gaining weight or behaviour that prevents weight gain.
- Disturbed body image or not recognising the seriousness of low weight.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Medication isn't usually a first-line treatment for this condition.
Therapies & support
- Family-based treatment (young people)
- CBT-ED
- MANTRA
- SSCM
Good to know
- Has the highest mortality of any mental health condition — urgent help matters.
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024