Anorexia
Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by the loss of at least
15% of normal body weight, severely restricted food intake accompanied
by an intense fear of "fatness", a distorted body image,
absence or suspension of the menstrual cycle and often, other life
threatening medical complications.
Types
of Anorexia
(Typically,
there are two types of Anorexia)
The
Restricting Type: Weight
loss is accomplished primarily through dieting, fasting or excessive
exercise.
The
Binge Eating/Purging Type: The
individual regularly binge eats, followed by a purging episode, which
might involve self-induced vomiting, compulsive exercise or the misuse
of laxatives diuretics or enemas. In this subtype, some individuals
do not binge eat, but do regularly purge even after the consumption
of small amounts of food.
Medical
and Psychological
Consequences
In
addition to absence or suspension of the menstrual cycle, medical
complications may include malnutrition, weakness, dehydration, cold
intolerance, low blood pressure, yellowing of the skin, growth of
fine hair on the body, decalcification of teeth, damage to the kidneys,
gastrointestinal problems and heart failure.
As malnutrition takes it toll, cognitive distortion may increase making
it even more difficult to convince a person with Anorexia that they
are not, in fact, "fat". People with Anorexia often suffer
from mood swings, depression, low self-esteem, shame, all-or-nothing
thinking and perfectionism…all of which impacts their relationships
with others.
Among mental health disorders, Anorexia has one of the highest mortality
rates.
Treatment
with a qualified
Eating Disorders Specialist is
crucial to a person's recovery.
See
Our Services for Emotional Eating and other
Resources for Eating Disorders
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