What is a typical characteristic of clients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa?

Clients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa often exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight, which is a hallmark characteristic of the disorder. This fear leads to significant weight loss and a distorted body image, where individuals may see themselves as overweight even if they are underweight. The behavior associated with the fear often compels clients to engage in restrictive eating patterns, excessive exercise, or other methods to avoid weight gain.

While relentless exercise can be a behavior that some may engage in, it is not a defining characteristic of all individuals with anorexia nervosa. Instead, the central issue lies within their psychological relationship to food and body image, emphasizing the fear of weight gain. Focus on this intense fear and the impact it has on their behavior provides a better understanding of anorexia nervosa's nature and helps differentiate it from other eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, where binge eating and compensatory behaviors are more prominent.