Dr. Ananya Rao
Adult Psychiatry
MD Psychiatry
Leads the inpatient psychiatric team, with a focus on mood and anxiety disorders.
Conditions · Eating disorders
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are serious illnesses affecting physical and mental health. They are not about vanity or willpower — and with early, coordinated care, full recovery is possible.
Anorexia nervosaBulimia nervosaBinge eating disorder
What it can look like
Signs of eating disorders
Not everyone experiences every sign, and intensity varies. If several of these sound familiar, an assessment is worth having.
- Preoccupation with food, weight, shape or calories
- Restricting intake, skipping meals or extreme dieting
- Episodes of binge eating or purging
- Excessive exercise or compensatory behaviour
- Intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image
- Secrecy, withdrawal and mood changes around meals
Free self-check
Unsure what you are experiencing?
Take a two-minute reflection based on the signs above. It is private, and it is not a diagnosis.
6 short questions
A two-minute check-in on eating disorders
You will see one question at a time. There are no right or wrong answers, and nothing is saved.
Understanding it
Types & presentations of eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Restriction with significantly low weight and fear of gaining weight.
Bulimia nervosa
Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours.
Binge eating disorder
Recurrent binge eating with distress and loss of control.
Other specified
Presentations that do not fit the above but are equally serious.
The Sakura approach
How we treat eating disorders
Every plan is individual, but care generally moves through these stages.
- 01
Medical stabilisation
Monitoring of vitals, electrolytes and nutrition, with admission when risk is high.
- 02
Nutritional rehabilitation
Dietitian-led meal planning and gradual restoration of regular eating.
- 03
Psychological therapy
CBT-E and related approaches addressing the thoughts that drive the illness.
- 04
Family & relapse prevention
Family support and a plan for the vulnerable periods ahead.
Care pathways
Pathways for eating disorders
Medical safety comes first. Care then steps through nutrition, therapy and relapse prevention.
Medically stable, with motivation to recover at home
Outpatient eating-disorder care
Weekly therapy, dietitian support and medical monitoring while living at home.
Recovery at home can work when risk is low, because it keeps family, work and school in place while therapy and nutrition rebuild a healthy relationship with food.
- CBT-E psychological therapy
- Dietitian-led meal planning
- Regular weight and vitals review
- Family sessions where appropriate
People who are medically stable and motivated, with a supportive home environment.
Regular eating, stabilising weight and a reduction in binge, purge or restriction behaviours.
Medical risk, severe restriction or failed outpatient care
Residential stabilisation
Supervised meals, medical monitoring and intensive therapy in a safe residential setting.
When the body is in danger, nutrition and medical care must come first. A residential setting removes the daily struggle around meals and provides constant support.
- 24/7 medical and nursing monitoring
- Supervised meals and nutritional rehabilitation
- Daily therapy and group programme
- Step-down plan and family work
People with medical complications, severe restriction, repeated purging, or no progress at outpatient level.
Medical safety, restored nutrition and a firm foundation for continuing recovery at home.
Helping yourself between sessions
- Aim for regular meals and snacks — do not skip
- Avoid weighing, calorie-counting and body-checking
- Notice and gently challenge food rules
- Keep your care team informed of any slips
If you are supporting someone you love
- Avoid comments on weight, shape or food
- Make mealtimes calm and unpressured
- Do not try to force-feed or police; support the plan
- Learn about the illness together
Where care happens
Choose the level of care that fits
Meet the specialists
The clinicians who will look after you
A named psychiatrist and therapist from day one.
Questions answered
Your questions about eating disorders
Straight answers to what people and families ask us most.
Our care team is happy to talk it through — no obligation.
Yes. Early, coordinated medical, nutritional and psychological care leads to recovery for many people.
No. Eating disorders occur at every weight and body shape.
No. Nutritional rehabilitation is gradual, agreed with you and medically monitored.
By staying calm around meals, avoiding comments on weight and joining family sessions.
Rarely. Food is often a way of coping with distress, control or self-worth.
When to seek help
Fainting, rapid weight change or palpitations alongside restriction or purging need prompt medical attention.
In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital. In India, the Tele MANAS helpline is 1-800-891-4416.