Introduction
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder where individuals have an intense fear of gaining weight. This leads them to severely limit food intake, often resulting in dangerous weight loss and becoming dangerously thin.
Overview and Facts
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in 100 females may have anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia believe that their self-worth is tied to their body image and are usually 15% below their ideal body weight.
Anorexia nervosa is most common in:
Teens: It typically begins in the teenage years with strict dieting and rapid weight loss, but it can start earlier or even in adulthood.
Women: Around 90% of individuals with anorexia are female, though it can affect men and boys as well.
Certain Social Groups: While it may be more common among white individuals from wealthy families, anorexia can affect anyone regardless of background.
Symptoms
People with anorexia often deny they have a problem. It is often up to their family and friends to recognize the signs and seek help.
Common Symptoms Include:
Severe weight loss: Weighing significantly less than what is healthy.
Fear of gaining weight: Extreme fear of becoming overweight.
Body image distortion: Believing they are overweight even when they are very thin.
Other Behaviors Include:
Obsessive thoughts about food, dieting, and weight.
Limiting food intake: They may restrict themselves to only a few hundred calories a day or avoid certain foods like those with fat or sugar.
Excessive exercise: Exercising to extremes, even when unwell.
Inducing vomiting or using laxatives: To avoid weight gain.
Developing unusual eating habits: Cutting food into tiny pieces or chewing food many times.
Becoming secretive: Withdrawing from family and friends and lying about eating habits.
As the disorder progresses, the body shows serious signs of malnutrition, including:
Fatigue, weakness, and fainting
Thinning hair, dry skin, brittle nails
Loss of menstrual periods
Feeling cold all the time
Low blood pressure and slow heart rate
Purple skin on arms and legs from poor circulation
Swollen feet and hands
Fine, baby-like hair all over the body (lanugo).
When to Seek Help
If you or someone you know has symptoms of an eating disorder, it's important to consult a doctor.
The earlier the intervention, the faster recovery can begin.
Causes and Risk Factors
Eating disorders are complex and can result from a combination of genetics, social factors, and personality traits. You may be more likely to develop anorexia if:
You have a family history of eating disorders, obesity, or mood disorders like depression or anxiety.
You participate in activities or professions that emphasize body size, such as ballet, modeling, or gymnastics.
You have a personality that strives for perfection or is constantly worried about not being good enough.
You have experienced stressful life events such as divorce, moving to a new area, or loss of a loved one.
Tests and Diagnosis
To diagnose anorexia nervosa, a mental health professional will:
Compare your weight with what is expected for your age and height.
Check for physical health problems caused by malnutrition, such as issues with your heart, lungs, blood pressure, and hair.
Perform tests such as blood tests or X-rays.
Ask questions to explore any underlying mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, which may contribute to the eating disorder.
Treatment
Treatment for anorexia usually involves a combination of therapies:
Psychotherapy (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps identify and change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors.
Medication: Antidepressants may be prescribed if there is an underlying issue like depression or anxiety.
Nutritional support: Helping the individual regain a healthy weight, often with the help of a nutritionist or medical monitoring.
Why Treatment is Important
Left untreated, anorexia nervosa can lead to serious medical complications and, in severe cases, even death. Early intervention and a comprehensive treatment plan are crucial for recovery.
Sources and Links
To Learn More, check:
www.idraac.org
www.webmd.com