At The Kahm Center for Eating Disorders, located in Burlington, Vermont, we understand the complexity of anorexia nervosa and its far-reaching impact on both physical and mental health.
Anorexia is a life-threatening eating disorder with the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness, second only to opioid use disorder. Our treatment approach integrates evidence-based therapies, expert nutritional care, and a comprehensive approach to monitoring patient progress, all within a supportive, compassionate environment.
If you are concerned that you or a loved one could have anorexia nervosa, utilize this test as a valuable resource and guideline to assess whether your symptoms align with those of this eating disorder.
Anorexia TestAnorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by intense food restriction, an overwhelming fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body shape or size. Contrary to popular belief, anorexia doesn’t only affect individuals with low body weight—anyone, regardless of body size, can suffer from the disorder.
At The Kahm Center, we treat both traditional presentations of anorexia nervosa and “atypical” anorexia, where individuals may not appear underweight but still face the same psychological and physical risks.
Anorexia is not just about food; it’s often driven by underlying emotional distress, which may stem from and be intertwined with factors such as shame, low self-worth, disconnection, or the effects of trauma. Without treatment, the disorder can result in severe health complications that may become life-threatening.
That’s why at The Kahm Center, we offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment, integrating therapy, nutrition support, and advanced diagnostic tools to monitor progress and facilitate recovery.
Individuals significantly limit food intake through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise without engaging in purging behaviors. This is the most commonly recognized form of anorexia.
This form involves episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors like self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
Though not a clinical diagnosis, drunkorexia refers to individuals who restrict food intake to “compensate” for calories from alcohol. This can lead to dangerous cycles of malnourishment, alcohol abuse, and disordered eating.
Though not a clinical diagnosis, drunkorexia refers to individuals who restrict food intake to “compensate” for calories from alcohol. This can lead to dangerous cycles of malnourishment, alcohol abuse, and disordered eating.
At The Kahm Center, we take a personalized approach to treatment, with our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offering structured, compassionate care. Our programs integrate a variety of evidence-based therapies, including:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps clients challenge distorted thinking around food and body image.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which teaches emotional regulation and coping strategies.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients accept their emotions without letting them dictate their behaviors.
We believe in the power of community and real-world practice, so we incorporate group therapy and experiential outings, allowing clients to practice recovery skills in real-life settings. Our registered dietitians work closely with clients, using nutrition therapy to guide nutritional rehabilitation.
Additionally, we utilize Metabolic Testing (MT) and Body Composition Analysis (BCA) to assess where someone is in the renourishment process. These tools focus on internal biomarkers, not body shape or size. We provide ongoing support and education to ensure that clients, families, and their care teams understand that MT and BCA are used to measure lean muscle mass and metabolic health, not appearance, shape, or size. It’s important to note that we are circumspect with this information, sharing only trends with the clients themselves to help prevent them from being over-concerned with the numbers.
Recognizing the signs of anorexia can be challenging, especially because individuals may go to great lengths to hide their behaviors. While drastic weight loss can be a common symptom, it’s not the only indicator. Some other warning signs include:
• Deliberate self-starvation
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Avoiding meals or eating in secret
• Obsessive concern with food, calories, or dieting
• Excessive exercise
• Sensitivity to cold, hair loss, or dry skin
• Disrupted menstrual cycle or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
• Withdrawal from social activities, especially those involving food
It’s important to remember that symptoms can vary, and not all individuals will present with dramatic weight changes. Learn more about the long-term effects of anorexia here.
Anorexia can have devastating effects on the body, affecting everything from bone density to organ function. Long-term health consequences may include:
• Osteoporosis: Loss of bone density, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
• Heart complications: Weak heart muscles, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats.
• Infertility: Hormonal imbalances that can disrupt the menstrual cycle and impact reproductive health.
• Organ failure: In severe cases, the lack of nutrition can cause permanent organ damage, especially to the kidneys, liver, and heart.
• Seizures: Due to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
Without intervention, these risks only increase, and the longer anorexia persists, the more challenging recovery becomes. Early detection and treatment are key. Learn more about the health risks of anorexia here.
For individuals with anorexia, intensive treatment is often necessary to stabilize both physical and mental health. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers six hours of structured treatment, five days a week. This level of care is ideal for individuals who are medically stable but still need significant support to stop engaging in anorexic behaviors.
For those who need less intensive care or are stepping down from PHP, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers three hours of care, three days a week. This option allows clients to continue their treatment while balancing other responsibilities like work or school.
At The Kahm Center, both our PHP and IOP programs utilize group therapy, meal support, and individualized care to help individuals overcome their struggles with anorexia and regain control of their health
Nick Kahm, a former philosophy faculty member at St. Michael's College in Colchester, VT, transitioned from academia to running the Kahm Clinic with his mother. He started the clinic to train dietitians in using Metabolic Testing and Body Composition Analysis for helping people with eating disorders. Now, he is enthusiastic about expanding eating disorder treatment through the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Vermont.
