Eating Disorder – Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa — is an eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with their lives.

Anorexia, like other eating disorders, can take over your life and can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can gain a better sense of who you are, return to healthier eating habits and reverse some of anorexia’s serious complications.

Physical symptoms

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:

1. Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gains
2. Thin appearance
3. Abnormal blood counts
4. Fatigue
5. Insomnia
6. Dizziness or fainting
7. Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
8. Absence of menstruation
9. Constipation and abdominal pain
10. Dry or yellowish skin
11. Intolerance of cold
12. Irregular heart rhythms
13. Low blood pressure
14. Dehydration
15. Swelling of arms or legs
16. Eroded teeth and calluses on the knuckles from induced vomiting

Emotional and behavioural symptoms

Behavioural symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose weight by:

• Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting
• Exercising excessively
• Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of food, which may include the use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products

Emotional signs and symptoms may include:

1. Frequently skipping meals or refusing to eat
2. Denial of hunger or making excuses for not eating
3. Eating only a few certain “safe” foods, usually those low in fat and calories
4. Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as spitting food out after chewing
5. Not wanting to eat in public
6. Lying about how much food has been eaten
7. Fear of gaining weight that may include repeated weighing or measuring the body
8. Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws
9. Covering up in layers of clothing
10. Flat mood (lack of emotion)
11. Social withdrawal
12. Irritability
13. Insomnia
14. Reduced interest in sex

Causes:

The exact cause of anorexia is unknown. As with many diseases, it’s probably a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

• Biological. Although it’s not yet clear which genes are involved, there may be genetic changes that make some people at higher risk of developing anorexia. Some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance — all traits associated with anorexia.
• Psychological. Some people with anorexia may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, which causes them to think they’re never thin enough. And they may have high levels of anxiety and engage in restrictive eating to reduce it.
• Environmental. Modern Western culture emphasizes thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure may help fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Complications of anorexia include:

1. Anaemia
2. Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure
3. Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures
4. Loss of muscle
5. In females, absence of a period
6. In males, decreased testosterone
7. Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea
8. Electrolyte abnormalities, such as low blood potassium, sodium and chloride
9. Kidney problem

In addition to the host of physical complications, people with anorexia also commonly have other mental health disorders as well. They may include:

1. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders
2. Personality disorders
3. Obsessive-compulsive disorders
4. Alcohol and substance misuse
5. Self-injury, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

Prevention:

If you notice that a family member or friend has low self-esteem, severe dieting habits and dissatisfaction with appearance, consider talking to him or her about these issues. Although you may not be able to prevent an eating disorder from developing, you can talk about healthier behaviour or treatment options. You can also help them get in touch with therapy. Learn more about the problem and help deal with the disorder together in therapy