Anorexia Nervosa

Overview

In a time when obesity is becoming a growing epidemic, there are still people who are suffering from the opposite: anorexia nervosa. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa have eating disorders and their weight is usually well below what is considered healthy for their age and height and many also suffer from distorted body images. While this disorder is somewhat intertwined with food, it is not the only reason why people suffer from this. It may be a way to deal with emotional issues and even be a point of control for others. Suffering from anorexia nervosa may be hard to get over since it also deals with emotional healing, as well as learning about the relationship to food and the body.

There are many stereotypes about anorexia nervosa, and many people have difficulty talking about their condition. It you or a loved one are suffering from anorexia, it is important that you reach out to a medical professional as soon as possible. Sometimes, it is a family member or friend who recognizes the problem. This position can be difficult, but you should do your best to be supportive and get help for your friend or family member.

Types

The two types of anorexia nervosa are:

• Restricting Type - Weight loss is due to dieting, fasting or excessive exercise.
• Binge-Eating Type or Purging Type - the person is involved in binge eating and produces self-induced vomiting.

Symptoms

Understanding the symptoms with people who suffer from anorexia nervosa can be varied from person to person. The person diagnosed to have anorexia nervosa must have the following symptoms:

• Refusal to maintain body weight as necessary for the age and height.
• Fear of gaining weight, even though they are not.
• In women, absence of three consecutive menstrual cycles.

There are many symptoms that affect them physically, emotionally or behaviorally. Some physical symptoms include extreme weight loss, fatigue, thin nails, hair that falls or breaks off, dehydration, osteoporosis and low blood pressure.

Causes/Risk Factors

This disorder can also affect someone's emotional levels. They may try hard to not show they have an eating disorder and there are many symptoms that are a result. Skipping meals or making excuses for not eating can be early signs that someone is suffering from anorexia. People who suffer from this disorder also have a distorted body image, thinking they are fat when they are actually very thin and complaining about their weight.

Tests/Diagnosis

This disorder is very complicated and cannot be identified easily. People with anorexia nervosa do not accept that they have such a disorder, until some medical complication arises. The symptoms are actually the only means to diagnose the disorder. Since it's not easy to prevent this disorder, keeping an eye out on friends or family that has low self-esteem or extreme-dieting issues may be the only way to prevent it from getting out of hand.

Treatment

Depending on how advanced this disorder has become to someone's life, it can vary the different available treatments. In extreme cases, proper treatment may be necessary to treat ailments such as dehydration or other imbalances within the body. Usually people who treat anorexia nervosa are dietitians or other medical providers that specialize in eating disorders. A doctor may be able to provide proper vitamins and minerals supplements that can help the body get back to a healthy weight and may be able to provide a treatment plan that includes therapy sessions. Gaining a healthy body image is important to learn the proper relationship between food and the human body.