For clients with anorexia nervosa, which symptom should be specifically monitored?

Monitoring severe anxiety about weight is crucial for clients with anorexia nervosa because it is a core symptom of the disorder. Individuals with anorexia often experience an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, which drives their behaviors related to food intake and body weight. This anxiety can lead to drastic measures to control their weight, including extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or purging behaviors, making it essential for healthcare providers to pay close attention to this aspect of the individual's mental and emotional state.

Addressing this anxiety through therapeutic interventions can help facilitate progress in recovery, make it easier to engage in nutritional rehabilitation, and support the overall treatment plan. Recognizing and managing these feelings of anxiety is vital in helping clients work toward healthier attitudes about food and body image.