Your doctor will do a physical exam and medical history. He or she will ask about your eating and other behaviors, such as choosing foods low in calories, your eating habits, ritualistic eating, your exercise habits, withdrawal from friends and usual activities, and denying that you have a problem.

Anorexia can be very difficult to treat. It does not go away or get better on its own. Your doctor or dietitian will help you to start eating normally again. Also, you will probably need individual mental health therapy and possibly family therapy. Your doctor may prescribe medicine (especially medicine used for mood disorders) to help reduce your fear of becoming fat, to help reduce depression and anxiety, to help reduce your thoughts about food and thinness, and to help you gain weight.

You may need to be hospitalized if your condition is severe and life threatening.