Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and a refusal to eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight. People with anorexia often restrict their food intake, exercise excessively, and use purging behaviors such as vomiting or laxative abuse to lose weight.
The symptoms of anorexia can vary depending on the severity of the illness. Some common symptoms include:
- Weight loss: People with anorexia often lose a significant amount of weight, sometimes as much as 25% of their body weight.
- Body image disturbance: People with anorexia have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight.
- Food restriction: People with anorexia restrict their food intake, often eating only a few hundred calories a day.
- Excessive exercise: People with anorexia often exercise excessively in an effort to burn calories and lose weight.
- Purging behaviors: People with anorexia may use purging behaviors such as vomiting, laxative abuse, or diuretic abuse to get rid of food after they have eaten.
- Social withdrawal: People with anorexia often withdraw from social activities and spend a lot of time alone.
- Depression: People with anorexia are often depressed and may have thoughts of suicide.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have anorexia, it is important to seek professional help. Anorexia is a serious illness that can have life-threatening consequences. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with anorexia can recover and lead healthy lives.
Here are some resources that can help:
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): 1-800-931-2237
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): 1-847-831-3438
- National Eating Disorders Information Centre (NEDIC): 1-866-633-4220
You can also find more information about anorexia on the websites of these organizations:
- NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
- ANAD: https://anad.org/
- NEDIC: https://nedic.ca/
Here are some additional symptoms that may be present in people with anorexia:
- Irregular menstrual periods: Women with anorexia may stop having menstrual periods.
- Brittle hair and nails: People with anorexia may have brittle hair and nails.
- Constipation: People with anorexia may experience constipation.
- Cold intolerance: People with anorexia may be intolerant of cold temperatures.
- Low blood pressure: People with anorexia may have low blood pressure.
- Electrolyte imbalance: People with anorexia may have an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to heart problems, seizures, and even death.
Note: Anorexia was listed as one of the reasons for Sandra’s hospital stay on May 11-17, 2023; however, she does not fit the characterizations of anorexia. She does appear anorexic though because she lost 35 lbs in one month while on hospice.
