What is Anorexia Nervosa?
A disorder where people intentionally starve themselves to lose extreme amounts of weight. It usually begins in young people around the time of puberty, and involves extreme weight loss -- at least 15 percent below the individual's normal body weight.
What are the signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?
Severe mood swings; depression, Lack of energy and weakness, Slowed thinking; poor memory, Dry, yellowish skin and brittle nails Constipation and bloating, Tooth decay and gum damage, Dizziness, fainting, and headaches, Growth of fine hair all over the body and face. Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced they are overweight. People with anorexia typically starve themselves, even though they suffer terribly from hunger pains. One of the most frightening aspects of the disorder is that people with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even when they are bone-thin. For reasons not yet understood, they become terrified of gaining any weight. Food and weight become obsessions. For some, the compulsiveness shows up in strange eating rituals or the refusal to eat in front of others. It is not uncommon for people with anorexia to collect recipes and prepare gourmet feasts for family and friends, but not partake in the meals themselves. They may adhere to strict exercise routines to keep off weight. The individual usually experiences an intense and overwhelming fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. This fear is regardless of the person's actual weight, and will often continue even when the person is near death from starvation. It is related to a person's poor self-image, which is also a symptom of this disorder. The individual suffering from this disorder believes that their body weight, shape and size is directly related to how good they feel about themselves and their worth as a human being. Persons with this disorder often deny the seriousness of their condition and can not objectively evaluate their own weight. Significant or extreme weight loss with no other medical illness to account for weight loss. Reduction in food intake, Ritualistic eating habits (e.g., cutting food into extremely small bites or chewing every bite excessively), Denial of hunger, Critical and intolerant of others, Excessive exercising, Choosing low- to no-fat and low calorie foods, Feelings of being too big, especially when this is not true, Highly self-controlled behavior, Hiding emotions, Progressive withdrawal from friends and family.
What can cause Anorexia Nervosa?
There is no blame in anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is not an indication that parents have gone wrong in raising their children. Cultural, genetic and personality factors interact with life events to initiate and maintain eating disorders. People who often participate in sports with weight criteria, Aspire to work in fields with emphasis on thinness, Previously were overweight or teased about weight, Have a family history of eating disorders, weight consciousness, Have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are socially insecure, Have a history of abuse -- physical, sexual or psychological -- or other trauma, Present a public image different from how they really feel about themselves, Have difficulty identifying and/or verbalizing feelings, especially anger, Engaging in obsessive running or participation in other sports can develop Anorexia Nervosa.
Myths-
Anorexia is not fun. Many people who strive to lose weight state, "I wish I were anorexic." They fail to recognize the wretchedness of the disease. Anorexia is not about feeling thin, proud and beautiful; if you take the time to listen to an anorexic you will hear that they feel fat, unattractive and inadequate. They are scared and trapped. Anorexia is not something sufferers can just "snap out of." Anorexics' minds are not their own; they are possessed by thoughts of weight, body image, food and calories. Many sufferers are not even free of the disease in their sleep, troubled by dreams of food, eating and exercise. Anorexia is an awful, lonely experience that often takes years to conquer.
Who does Anorexia Nervosa affect besides the sufferer?
Anorexia is hard on everyone involved. Living with someone with anorexia nervosa can be exasperating and confusing. To those who do not understand the complexity of the disorder, the sufferer's behavior seems selfish and manipulative. It is often hard to remember that eating disorders are a manifestation of profound unhappiness and distress. Anorexia can be deadly. It has one of the highest fatality rates of any mental illness. If you or someone you know shows the signs or symptoms of an eating disorder, take action, get educated and seek help.
What are the treatment options for Anorexia Nerovsa?
Admit you have a problem. Up until now, you’ve been invested in the idea that life will be better—that you’ll finally feel good—if you lose more weight. The first step in anorexia recovery is admitting that your relentless pursuit of thinness is out of your control and acknowledging the physical and emotional damage that you’ve suffered because of it.
Talk to someone. It can be hard to talk about what you’re going through, especially if you’ve kept your anorexia a secret for a long time. You may be ashamed, ambivalent, or afraid. But it’s important to understand that you’re not alone. Find a good listener—someone who will support you as you try to get better.
Stay away from people, places, and activities that trigger your obsession with being thin. You may need to avoid looking at fashion or fitness magazines, spend less time with friends who constantly diet and talk about losing weight, and stay away from weight loss web sites and “pro-ana” sites that promote anorexia.
Seek professional help. The advice and support of trained eating disorder professionals can help you regain your health, learn to eat normally again, and develop healthier attitudes about food and your body.
The first priority in anorexia treatment is addressing and stabilizing any serious health issues. Hospitalization may be necessary if you are dangerously malnourished or so distressed that you no longer want to live. You may also need to be hospitalized until you reach a less critical weight. Outpatient treatment is an option when you’re not in immediate medical danger.
A second component of anorexia treatment is nutritional counseling. A nutritionist or dietician will teach you about healthy eating and proper nutrition. The nutritionist will also help you develop and follow meal plans that include enough calories to reach or maintain a normal, healthy weight.
Counseling is crucial to anorexia treatment. Its goal is to identify the negative thoughts and feelings that fuel your eating disorder and replace them with healthier, less distorted beliefs. Another important goal of counseling is to teach you how to deal with difficult emotions, relationship problems, and stress in a productive, rather than a self-destructive, way.