Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder characterized by restriction of energy intake, significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and emotional disturbance related to the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Counselors play a critical role in prevention, early identification, interdisciplinary collaboration, family engagement, and provision of ongoing psychotherapy. Given ongoing concerns regarding under-identification of atypical presentations and culturally diverse manifestations of eating disorders, counselors are encouraged to use multiple assessment methods alongside clinical judgment and interdisciplinary consultation.