Anorexia, or Anorexia Nervosa as it is known clinically, is an eating disorder that is characterized by body image distortion and excessively low weight. It is diagnosed as a psychiatric illness, and is a condition linking many factors, including psychological, emotional, physiological, and societal.

 

Anorexia is primarily seen in Western society, affecting adolescent females and young women. These individuals go to extraordinary lengths to lose and control their weight, including by means of starvation, excessive exercise, vomiting, or using laxative and diet aids. Anorexia takes a huge physical and psychological toll on those afflicted with it, and it has the highest death rate of any other psychiatric illness. About 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die from some condition that is a direct result of the disorder.

 

How Anorexia Nervosa Affects the Body

Anorexia puts a great deal of strain on the cardiovascular system, particularly the heart. It can slow the heart rate to dangerous levels. Anorexic individuals also tend to have an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to muscle pain and permanent muscle damage, compromised immunities, and low phosphate levels, which can cause heart failure.

For younger sufferers, Anorexia can stunt growth of the body permanently and cause decreased amounts of hormones that are required for physical and sexual development. Furthermore, due to poor nutrition and lack of nutrition associated with Anorexia Nervosa, Osteoporosis can affect as much as 50% of those suffering from the condition.

The Causes of Anorexia

There are several psychological, emotional, physiological, and even social factors that can trigger Anorexia in an individual. Some of these factors include:

Body image distortion

Perfectionism

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Clinical depression

Poor personal and family relationships

Gender (the condition is more common in females)

Ethnicity (the condition is more common in white individuals)

Exposure to Western media

Symptoms to look for

There are a number of symptoms and warning signs to look for if you think that someone you know is suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. These include:

Obsessive thoughts about food and body weight

Pre-occupation with body size and shape

Moodiness

Fear about becoming overweight

Withdrawal from relationships

Reduced immune function

Pale complexion and sunken eyes

Hypothermia, anemia, slow heart rate (consistent with starvation)

Chapped lips

Poor circulation – hands and feet are purple

Headaches

Fainting

Secretive behavior

Excessive exercise

Severe reduction in eating

Anorexia Nervosa is hard to treat, with many patients resisting treatment. Only about 50% of those with the condition ever fully recover from it. Treatment usually involves hospitalization or outpatient treatment to increase weight safely, psychotherapy, and drug treatment (for depression). There are many non-profit groups who offer support to those who are suffering from Anorexia, and for those who have a loved one afflicted with the condition. Treatment takes time, support, and understanding, but Anorexia can be overcome.