ANOREXIA NERVOSA DISORDER
Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous psychological and physical disorder characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness. Those with this disorder have a severe fear of weight gain and typically use food and weight loss to obtain control over various areas of their lives. This relentless pursuit of thinness is achieved through self-starvation or excessive exercise. Typically those who are 15% or more below the normal body weight for their height and age are considered to have anorexia nervosa, although there are exceptions to this case. Approximately 10% of all diagnosed cases of anorexia result in death, giving anorexia one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disease. Anorexia plays no favorites although many people think it affects only females. In actuality, approximately 10% of those affected are male. All gender and age groups can be affected by the debilitating effects of anorexia.
The Signs of Anorexia Many different signs indicate the presence of an eating disorder. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:
The Signs of Anorexia Many different signs indicate the presence of an eating disorder. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:
- Extreme weight loss
- Fatigue
- Wearing baggy clothing or many layers
- Skipping meals
- Dry skin
- Susceptibility to cold
- In females, the absence of three of more consecutive periods;
In males, sexual desire reduced - Dehydration
- Thinning hair
- Constantly worrying or complaining about being overweight
Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous psychological and physical disorder characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness. Those with this disorder have a severe fear of weight gain and typically use food and weight loss to obtain control over various areas of their lives. This relentless pursuit of thinness is achieved through self-starvation or excessive exercise. Typically those who are 15% or more below the normal body weight for their height and age are considered to have anorexia nervosa, although there are exceptions to this case. Approximately 10% of all diagnosed cases of anorexia result in death, giving anorexia one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disease. Anorexia plays no favorites although many people think it affects only females. In actuality, approximately 10% of those affected are male. All gender and age groups can be affected by the debilitating effects of anorexia.
The Signs of Anorexia Many different signs indicate the presence of an eating disorder. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:
The Signs of Anorexia Many different signs indicate the presence of an eating disorder. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:
- Extreme weight loss
- Fatigue
- Wearing baggy clothing or many layers
- Skipping meals
- Dry skin
- Susceptibility to cold
- In females, the absence of three of more consecutive periods;
In males, sexual desire reduced - Dehydration
- Thinning hair
- Constantly worrying or complaining about being overweight
Physical Effects
- Anemia
- Kidney stones, complete kidney failure
- Erosion or loss of teeth
- Osteoporosis
- Dry, yellow skin
- Irregular heart rhythms, heart failure
- Brittle hair and nails
- Fine hair appearing all over body
- Depression
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Resorting back to a child-like state of mind
- Listlessness
Information from the CASA PALMERA Treatment Center in Del Mar, California
This site does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment
