What is Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness that affects approximately 4-8% of young people and is characterized by a fear of weight gain, restricted food intake, disturbed body image, excessive exercise, and preoccupation with food and meal times.

Who does Anorexia Nervosa typically affect?

Anorexia Nervosa can affect individuals of all sexes and genders, but it is most often diagnosed between the ages of 14 and 25.

What are some early signs of Anorexia Nervosa that parents may notice?

Some early signs of Anorexia Nervosa that parents may notice include avoiding food groups, eating smaller portions, engaging in dieting, experiencing discomfort at mealtimes, and displaying a preoccupation with food.

What are the consequences of Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa can lead to low body weight, medical complications, starvation, and malnutrition. It has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric conditions.

What training and qualifications does The Wave treatment team have?

The Wave treatment team is trained in various approaches and therapies specific to eating disorders. They are trained in therapies such as Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Therapy, Yoga for Eating Disorders, Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE), and Art Therapy for Eating Disorders.

What are the two subtypes of anorexia nervosa?

There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa: a “restrictive” subtype and a “binge-purge” subtype. Anorexia Nervosa can often move between subtypes, so it is important for parents to be aware and attentive to changes in behaviour.

What is Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting Subtype?

The restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa is identified with severe restricting of energy through the intake of food and//or liquids, possibly in addition to excessive exercise. This is followed by weight loss. With the restricting subtype, no episodes of purging or self-induced vomiting have been reported in the last three months.

What is Anorexia Nervosa: Binge-Purge Subtype?

With the binge-purge subtype, young people may consume more food than they intended to or feel excessively guilty for eating. This is followed by self-induced vomiting or purging, laxative use, diuretic use, enemas, or over-exercise. Sometimes young people will utilise a variety of these behaviours, which can further increase the danger.

What diagnostic approaches are used at The Wave to determine the presence of Anorexia Nervosa?

At The Wave, a range of thorough diagnostic approaches informed by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) are used to ascertain the presence of Anorexia Nervosa. These may include observing the young person's behavior, conducting a medical assessment for low weight, malnutrition, and growth delay.

Does The Wave use BMI as a criterion for admission?

No, The Wave does not use BMI (Body Mass Index) as a criterion for admission. They emphasize that the severity of Eating Disorders cannot be determined solely by BMI or weight and that it is important to consider other factors in the diagnostic and treatment process.

Anorexia - thewaveclinic.com

Residential Anorexia Treatment in Beautiful Malaysia

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health disorder that affects approximately 4-8% of young people. It’s most often diagnosed between ages 14 and 25 and affects all sexes and genders. AN has the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric conditions.

Teens and young people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa often restrict their energy intake, leading to low body weight and medical complications. Symptoms of anorexia include a fear of gaining weight, restricting food or liquids, body dissatisfaction, over-exercise, and a preoccupation with food and meal times.

Untreated anorexia can have devastating consequences, but with the right support, recovery is possible. Effective treatment involves addressing the emotional, cognitive and interpersonal factors that underpin disordered eating behaviours in a trauma-focused process of healing and growth

We are here to help

The Wave Eating Disorder Admissions Team can be contacted on:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Teen Eating Disorders
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01

Qualified to Help

Treatment for Anorexia

With a supportive, caring environment and a solid treatment programme, young people can recover from anorexia nervosa.

Each member of the Wave team is trained in the treatment of eating disorders, from our kitchen staff to our board. Our professional team are all members of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, with specialist training in a range of modalities including:

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) for Eating Disorders
Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E)
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Eating Disorders
Internal Family Systems Model (IFS)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Therapy
Yoga for Eating Disorders
Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE)
Art Therapy for Eating Disorders

At The Wave, we know that living with an eating disorder can be isolating and lonely. Our treatment programs are opportunities to recover, enjoy new friendships and build a wonderful gap-year portfolio of life experiences.

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia in Teens

It’s not always easy for parents to notice the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Eating disorders are expressed different in every young person, and teenagers and young adults often try and hide what’s going on.

Some of the most common symptoms of anorexia include:

Avoiding meals or eating very small amounts
Being afraid of gaining weight
Insisting on eating alone
Execessively exercising
Trying to hide signs of weight loss
Binging and purging behaviours

Young people with anorexia can live in all sizes of bodies and lower, normal or higher body weights.

Diagnosing Anorexia

At The Wave, we use a range of tools and approaches to diagnose anorexia nervosa. We may also observe a young person’s behaviour and conduct a medical assessment for low weight, malnutrition, and growth delay.

Treatment decisions at The Wave are made by our multidisciplinary team of treatment professionals. We use the criteria for admission set out in NICE Guidelines on the treatment of Eating Disorders (National Institute of Clinical Excellence, U.K).

Importantly, we never use BMI as a criterion for admission. The severity of an eating disorder is unrelated to, and cannot be ascertained by, a young person’s BMI.

“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”

Hope, Healing, and Balance

Our Specialised Programs for Teens

We provide expert care for young people classified as high-risk, extremely high-risk, and moderate to mildly severe risk. We tailor our approach to each individual to ensure that they’re getting the precise level of care they need.

Specialist Care for Teens at High Risk/Severe - Indigo Program

The Wave Indigo Program specialises in the treatment of young people at a high-risk or extremely high-risk. Our team of medical specialists provides dedicated care for young people with additional needs.

Our indigo rooms are equipped with ECG machines, intensive care beds and labs for around-the-clock monitoring, including one-to-one care to assist with medical stabilisation.

Specialist Care for Teens at Moderate Severe Risk - Fuchsia Program

The Wave Fuchsia Program provides complete care for young people who do not otherwise meet the criteria for admission to Indigo Program (this includes recent risk of self harm & recent thoughts of suicide).

Specialist Care for Teens at Mildly Severe Risk - Violet Program

The Violet Program is for teens at a moderate to mildly severe risk of harm.

Anorexia therapies and treatment options

Recovering from Anorexia Nervosa

During a young person’s stay with us, they’ll experience a range of therapies and treatment options. Some of our most popular include:

One-to-One Therapy

During their stay at The Wave, each young person will meet regularly with a dedicated therapist. These sessions offer a safe space for young people to open up, share any issues that are troubling them, and identify the root of their condition. Young people are also encouraged to learn how to manage their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms, behavioural patterns, and associations with food.

Group Therapy

Building a strong support network is important for both their time at The Wave, and the transition back into their communities at home. This is one reason that so many of our activities and therapies are focused on cultivating relationships.

Although many young people find it a little daunting to open up, group therapy is a great way to learn from others on a similar journey. Young people at The Wave often find that group therapy enables them to form long-lasting friendships with other people. Hearing from others who’ve battled an eating disorder shows our young people that they’re not alone and gives them the chance to hear how others cope with the condition.

Eating Disorder-Informed Yoga

Eating disorder-informed yoga is gentle and non-aerobic, making it ideal for those with anorexia who may have experienced malnutrition.

Eating disorder-informed yoga offers a gentle, controlled workout that focuses on the mind rather than just the body. During sessions, young people are guided through different movements, each designed to help them develop emotional awareness and trust in their bodies. It’s all about developing healthy habits that allow young people to regain ownership over their bodies, and reminding people that they are in control – not their eating disorder.

Alternative Therapies

At The Wave, we offer a range of alternative therapies to enhance wellness and promote healing from the inside out; from dance and art therapy to reiki and mindfulness. Natural healing treatments can relieve stress, calm the autonomic nervous system, and help people to manage negative emotions and those moments when they feel like slipping back into old habits.

Creative therapies like art, dance, and drama offers the chance to express emotions and let go of negative associations with food. These therapies also help many develop new skills, and find joy in new hobbies that they can continue once they’ve left our clinic – ideal for channelling their energy into something creative.

Gardening Groups

Known as horticultural therapy, our gardening group programmes offer the opportunity to garden and tend to their own bed of flowers and plants. This ownership gives young people responsibility, empowering them to look after the seeds they’ve sown. Not only does this show them the power of care and compassion, but these skills can also be directly translated into how they look after themselves.

Flowers take time to grow, but they flourish with the right care and support, just like young people in recovery. We also offer young people the opportunity to plant fruits and vegetables, enabling them to be involved with food from the moment it’s planted.

Family Therapy

Anorexia Nervosa can affect the whole family, and it can sometimes be difficult for loved ones to fully understand what a young person is going through and why. Our family therapy sessions offer a safe space for everyone to open up, voice their feelings and concerns, and better understand one another.

Nutritional Programmes

During a young person’s stay at The Wave, they are given a personalised nutritional programme tailored to their specific needs. This ensures that those in recovery from an eating disorder get all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong and recover. We also offer a wide range of education on nutrition, food groups, and how nutrition affects the body.

Over time, young people in our care gradually learn to develop healthy and regular eating patterns and meal planning. We take everything at the the individual’s own pace, helping them adjust to the changes smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

Anorexia FAQ's

When to get help for Anorexia Nervosa?

Teens and young people benefit from early intervention in eating disorders. The Team at The Wave are trained in FREED (Kings’ College, London) which advocates for early intervention. Eating Disorders that are treated early in the course of the illness have a far better long term recovery rate.

Do I need to be referred by a therapist or psychiatrist?

No, The Wave Eating Disorder programs accept direct referrals from parents and from young people themselves. We also work with an extensive panel of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Therapists, Family Lawyers and schools. We will begin a thorough assessment of needs and help you to choose the right eating disorder treatment for your young person and family.

What are Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders (SE-ED)?

Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders affect about 20% of young people previously diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. There is no set time frame that defines Eating Disorders that become long-standing illnesses, although treatment professionals usually look at Eating Disorders that have been active for three years and over and have had multiple treatment attempts. Treatment of Eating Disorders is complex and the earlier that treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of full recovery.

The Wave has provided me with the ability to feel calm with the secure feeling that they are a team of professionals who know exact what my daughter needs. It has not been easy and continues to be a challenging journey. The consistent communication through WhatsApp, phone calls, in-person and virtual family therapy sessions and weekly report have made being halfway across the world feel as if I am as part of my daughter’s treatment as I possibly can.

I had a great experience when I was on The Wave. It was one of the best experiences in my life. I enjoy all the sessions conducted by the team. I never had a chance to speak in group, specially with friends from other countries before.

It opens my eyes and gives me a new knowledge and experience to be a better person.

Thank you all for helping our gorgeous girl find her wonderful self again, for taking such good care of her and all the support and guidance, we are eternally grateful.