Things You'll Need:
- Therapist
- Physician
- Nutritionist
- Physical therapist
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Step 1
Find that many inpatient centers specializing in the treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia have now incorporated monitored exercise programs into their treatment approaches. Depending on your medical insurance plan, you may need your doctor's referral to enter a program of this kind.
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Step 2
Pursue exercise as part of the rehabilitative treatment in an outpatient environment. Request a referral from your physician to a licensed physical therapist who specializes in working with patients with eating disorders. Your approach to exercise must still be closely monitored, even in an outpatient environment.
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Step 3
Discover that when a monitored exercise plan is incorporated into the treatment of anorexia, many patients experience less depression due to the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise. Anorexia patients who exercise as part of their treatment may experience an increased feeling of control and ability to manage stress more effectively, which can reduce feelings of depression.
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Step 4
Know that when you use exercise to treat anorexia, the patient may or may not witness an improvement in body image. Though exercise may aid in improving an anorexia patient's mood, research does not clearly indicate that it has any effect on her attitude towards her body.
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Step 5
Treat other symptoms associated with anorexia, such as weight loss, with exercise. Exercise, when conducted in a medically monitored environment, may increase the appetite. When used with nutritional rehabilitation, many patients may experience greater success with the maintenance of a healthy body weight.
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Step 6
Continue to use exercise to maintain a healthy body following your formal treatment for anorexia. Your doctor should advise you on which exercise programs you should use, though typically those designed to build muscle and maintain your weight are preferred.
