Anorexia Nervosa, Restricting Type (F50.01)

Name of the Condition

• Common Name: Anorexia Nervosa, Restricting Type
• Medical Terms: Anorexia Nervosa, Restrictive Type

Summary

Anorexia nervosa, restricting type, is an eating disorder characterized by extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight. Individuals with this condition have a distorted body image and often perceive themselves as overweight, despite being underweight.

Causes

The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown, but it likely involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. These may include societal pressure for thinness, family history of eating disorders, and personal characteristics like perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive traits.

Risk Factors

• Age: Typically begins during adolescence.
• Gender: More common in females.
• Genetics: Family history of eating disorders.
• Psychological Factors: High levels of anxiety, perfectionism.
• Cultural/Social Influences: Societal pressure to be thin.

Symptoms

• Significant weight loss or failure to make expected weight gains during growth.
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
• Distorted body image and self-esteem heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape.
• Restrictive eating patterns, often involving an extreme limitation of caloric intake.

Diagnosis

• Physical Examination: Assessment of weight, height, and BMI.
• Psychological Evaluation: Mental health assessment.
• Diagnostic Criteria: Based on the DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa.

Treatment Options

• Nutritional Therapy: Supervised meal planning and weight monitoring.
• Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address distorted thoughts and behaviors.
• Medical Monitoring: Regular health checks to monitor physical health effects.
• Medications: Antidepressants or antipsychotics may be used to treat associated mental health issues, though no medication is approved specifically for anorexia nervosa.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

With treatment, individuals can recover from anorexia nervosa, though some may experience relapses. Long-term monitoring is important to manage the risk of recurrence. Prognosis varies depending on the severity and duration of the condition.

Complications

• Severe malnutrition and related health issues (e.g., heart problems, osteoporosis).
• Emotional and social withdrawal.
• Increased risk of other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Encourage a balanced approach to food and exercise, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental well-being over appearance.
• Promote healthy body image and self-esteem.
• Early intervention and education on the dangers of eating disorders may reduce the risk.

When to Seek Professional Help

Immediate medical attention is needed if there are signs of severe weight loss, physical health problems due to inadequate nutrition, or serious mental health issues.

Additional Resources

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
• Academy for Eating Disorders: www.aedweb.org

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure accurate identification of the restrictive type by confirming the absence of binge-eating or purging behaviors.
• F50.01 specifically denotes the restricting subtype; coding errors may occur if this is not distinguished from other subtypes of anorexia nervosa.