This calorie intake can increase gradually as the patient makes treatment gains. The patient should have six equal feedings throughout the day, although this may not always be possible. Weight is only the symptom in this disorder of poor body image and self-esteem problems. These primary difficulties should be the focus of any treatment approach for an eating disorder. Weight gain can be used as an objective measure as to treatment progress.
Some medications can be extremely helpful in treatment a person who suffers from anorexia nervosa.
As always, the medication should be carefully monitored, especially since the patient may be vomiting, which may impact on the medication's effectiveness. A trusting and honest relationship must be established between the physician and the individual or mediation compliance will almost certainly become an issue. Chlorpromazine may be beneficial for those individuals suffering from severe obsessions and increased anxiety and agitation. Individuals find they can bounce ideas off of one another, get objective feedback about body image, and just gain increased social support. Many support groups exist within communities throughout the world which are devoted to helping individuals with this disorder share their commons experiences and feelings.