What is considered the first-line treatment for a patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa?

Nutritional rehabilitation combined with psychotherapy is recognized as the first-line treatment for anorexia nervosa. This integrative approach addresses both the critical need to restore the patient’s nutritional status and the psychological aspects of the eating disorder.

Nutritional rehabilitation focuses on the safe and structured reintroduction of food to help the patient gain weight and regain a healthy relationship with food. Simultaneously, psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is essential in addressing the underlying psychological issues such as distorted body image and unhealthy beliefs about food and weight.

This comprehensive approach is necessary because inadequately treating either the physical or psychological components of anorexia can lead to ineffective outcomes. Other treatments alone, such as medication or hospitalization without addressing nutrition and psychological therapy, do not comprehensively address the disorder and can result in incomplete recovery or relapse.