All About Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia can be medically defined as a body weight that is lower than normal body weight. When a person measures 15% below the ideal weight range for their height, they instantly fall into the category of anorexic. It should be noted, however, that not every underweight person can be termed Anorexic.
Common Symptoms and Causes Related to Anorexia
Many people do not realize the relationship between Anorexia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The drive and determination to succeed at weight loss and the maintenance of a lower weight is often very strong in a person with anorexia. This drive, while healthy in many cases, can cause the anorexic to continue to lose weight to a point where the body measures far below the ideal, healthy weight range. Lower than ideal weights are not only unhealthy to achieve, but can wreak havoc on the normal functions of the body. Menstruation, hormone activity, joint problems associated with arthritis are common in people who live with anorexia. One common symptom of anorexia is the presence of very fine hair an the face and body. The lack of protein in the diet will cause hair to lose mass.
Anorexia is essentially a starvation diet. This diet can be paired with obsessive exercising which may include, but is not limited to, running, walking, and aerobics.
The Distortion of Self Image
Self image for an anorexic becomes the gauge for success with a given diet plan. The more weight that is lost, the more the image becomes distorted. There is often no "ideal" weight in the minds of an anorexic and every 5 pounds lost seems like another reason to lose 5 more. Feeling fat and the fear of gaining weight often becomes overwhelming and the anorexic may move into food avoidance activities. Commonly, the anorexic will move food around the plate in order to make it appear as though some has been eaten, they will avoid sit down meals with large groups of people and give reason for not being able to attend gatherings where food will be present.
The causative factors surrounding anorexia are as complex as the disease itself. While a background or genetic predisposition to anorexia is commonly the main factor, other related causes and symptoms include perfection expectations from parents, fear of growing up or growing older, a drive for perfection, and a need for control.
The Effects of Anorexia
Anorexia will effect the body in a negative way. The most common effects include:
- Heart Problems
- Extreme Fatigue
- Bone Loss
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Fainting
- Loss of Body Hair
- Death
Recovery From This Silent Killer
Recovery from anorexia nervosa often comes as a result of the realization of health problems associated with the starvation on the body. The process of recovery is long and early identification of the problem can lead to a quicker, fuller recovery.
For extreme cases, hospitalization and in patient treatment programs may be needed to break the body out of the starvation habit. After a long period of time suffering from anorexia, the patient often loses the ability to eat and the stomach will need to be retrained to handle the presence of food.
Additional Links for Help
Something Fishy website about EDs – An informative site offering tips and information on eating disorders.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders – ANAD is a non-profit organization aimed at offering the best information and resources about eating disorders.
