Some people use vomiting or laxatives to produce weight loss. Anorexia nervosa can be life-threatening, but it can also be cured. Often out-patient treatment can reverse the problem if begun early enough. In addition, anti-depressant medications may be used in the early stages of treatment. Once a healthy weight has been achieved, counseling may need to be continued for months or years, as a return to old eating and dieting habits is common, especially when under stress.
Many anorexics continue to show symptoms of the disorder even after they are out of the hospital.
If anorexia nervosa is left untreated, complications can develop. Severe weight loss can affect the heart muscle, leading to sudden death. In addition, suddenly eating large amounts of food following a long period of malnutrition can be fatal. Severe weight loss can also have effects on the kidneys, the hormone system, and the blood. These complications make anorexia nervosa one of the deadliest psychiatric disorders.