Anorexia nervosa is often characterized as an eating disorder where the hallmark symptom is one’s lack of a healthy weight but a slightly different diagnosis is also affecting individuals who don’t fall into that usual paradigm: Atypical anorexia nervosa. Often, patients who exhibit other characteristics of the standard diagnosis but who aren’t “skinny enough” may be denied treatment. In her article KQED titled Anorexia Patients Are Not All Super Skinny, Lesley McClurg describes the story of Annie, a San Francisco resident who encountered this scenario first-hand.
Annie’s story resembles stories and experiences shared by others in the eating disorder community. Like her, individuals can often get into a tug-of-war with insurance carriers who only wish to treat patients who meet a very specific set of conditions. Atypical anorexia places those with the illness in the same dangerous position as those with the “classic” diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, causing complications related to the heart, bone density, and other functions of the body.
We encourage everyone seeking help to continue asking and petitioning for assistance. If you or someone you know is seeking assistance for an eating disorder of any type, please reach out to your medical provider or take a look at our own directory of professionals who may be able to help.
