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Managing Director: Dr David Kraft

Anorexia Nervosa

According to the DSM IV classification (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), eating disorders can be divided into two main categories: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Anorexic patients refuse to eat adequately and essentially starve themselves; many females, and some men suffering from this condition, have a distorted body image. In addition, female patients with anorexia nervosa frequently suffer from amenorrhoea; they present with a childlike appearance and often have a pale, gaunt face.

Anorexia Nervosa is subdivided into two main groups:

Restricting Type: weight loss associated with dieting, fasting and excessive exercise   

Binge Eating/Purging Type: weight loss associated with a bingeing and purging cycle—self-induced vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives or enemas. This is sometimes referred to as ‘bulimerexia’ (Thiessen, 1983)         

The term anorexia nervosa was coined by Charles Lasègue (1873) and was then used by Gull in 1874. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the French psychiatrist Pierre Janet described, in many lectures, detailed accounts of patients suffering from this condition. He also used hypnotherapy to treat a condition which he described as being ‘hysterical anorexia’ (Janet, 1924). He spoke of the underlying family dynamics associated with the condition although he did not, at the time, make a clear distinction between anorexia nervosa and what is now known as bulimia nervosa.

In 2007, anorexia nervosa is widespread amongst both males and females.

A prominent feature in the aetiology of anorexia nervosa is that the patient lives in a complex, emotionally-charged and disturbed family structure; particularly females (but this also applies to young men) are often obsessional and strive somehow to be perfect. There are also a lots of hostile feelings towards parental figures—particularly between mother and daughter.

Anorexic patients have often have an encyclopaedic knowledge of foods—they count calories, and know the exact number of grams of fat, carbohydrate, protein and sugar in food stuffs. They are also very clever at hiding food and will avoid eating at all costs. In addition, some anorexics will skip meals on a regular basis, making excuses as to their whereabouts. Their behaviour pervades the whole of their lives at home and at work. Some patients also exercise excessively each day in order to take off even more weight. Patients also regard themselves as being fat even though their bodies look emaciated—thus, they suffer from having a distorted body image.

Further, these patients are able to suppress their hunger, suffer constipation and are able to feel full after a small quantity of food (Gross, 1984). One of the very important mechanisms in anorexia nervosa, and a feature which is central to their condition, is that, by eating very small quantities of food, they exercise an enormous amount of control; in addition, this has the effect of counteracting feelings of worthlessness or powerlessness in their every day lives (Sours, 1969).

Patients with anorexia can suffer from a number of physical complications including bradycardia, hypophosphataemia, delirium, amenorrhoea, stunted growth, hypothermia associated with a thiamine deficiency, a zinc deficiency, dry skin, chapped lips, skin pallor and sunken eyes./ And some patients become cachectic (Sours, 1974). It is important to remember that anorexia nervosa may lead to sudden death.

Dr David Kraft uses hypnosis to treat anorexia nervosa; however, it is important to note, that he combines this with psychotherapy. Anorexic patients require a huge amount of support and careful handling.

Welcome to the new website. Dr Kraft is the managing director of London Hypnotherapy UK. Trained as a hypnotherapist, Dr David Kraft uses integrative psychotherpy in his approach. Although he works as a psychotherapist for some clients, for most, he combines hypnosis with psychodynamic psychotherapy. He is a specialist consultant in his field. He has been trained to help people with a variety of problems including anxiety, stress, depression, phobias, sexual disorders, anger problems, IBS and grief amongst many other problems.

For an appointment with Dr Kraft, please phone the Harley Street number. Dr David Kraft is a skilled hypnotherapist in private practice.

Help is just around the corner. Phone Dr Kraft for an appointment today.

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