Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex, psychological disorder that can have devastating consequences. Most people with anorexia look emaciated. They typically weigh at least 15 percent below normal for their age and height, yet consistently complain of feeling fat. Characteristics of anorexia nervosa include self-imposed starvation and dieting, an obsession with food, an intense fear of gaining weight and an unrealistic body image. Anorexics are often perfectionists and high achievers who also suffer from depression and low self-esteem.

Although no exact cause of anorexia is known, there are a number of factors that can contribute to people (mostly girls and women) developing anorexia. These include: societal pressures to be thin, a low sense of self-worth, a strong need for approval, difficulty in expressing feelings and/or a history of sexual, physical or emotional trauma. Without treatment, anorexia can lead to serious health problems and even death.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa:

• Continued dieting even when a person is not overweight
• Preoccupation with food, nutrition, calories and/or cooking
• Extreme thinness — loss of 15 percent or more of ideal body weight
• Denial of hunger
• Excessive exercising
• Hair loss
• Fine downy hair on face, arms and/or legs
• Hiding food, pretending to have eaten; hiding weight loss
• Distorted body image — feeling fat even though extremely thin
• Intense fear of gaining weight and/or becoming fat, despite low weight
• Complaints of feeling bloated or nauseated when normal amounts of food are eaten
• Intolerance of cold temperatures
• Loss of menstruation
• Food rituals such as cutting food into tiny pieces

If you think you or someone you know might have anorexia, don't wait for the problem to go away by itself.  Get help now.

When you need to talk to someone, turn to Belmont Behavioral Health at 1-800-220-HELP or 215-877-2000.