Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is one type of eating disorder.

Psychological Symptoms:

• Have an intemse and irrational fear of body fat and weight gain.
• A determintaion to become thinner and thinner.
• A misperception of body weight and shape to the extent that the person may feel or see "fat" even when their thinness is clear to others.

People who have Anorexia:

• do not eat enough to keep their bodies working properly.
• lose a lot of weight so that they become unhealthy.
• may exercise too much too burn calories.
• may convince themselves and those around them that they are not hungry or too thin.

Anorexia Nervosa may cause:

• loss of menstrual periods
• fainting spells and dizziness
• low bone density
• thinning and brittle hair on the head
• dry skin and weak fingernails
• dehydration and constipation
• feeling tire, depressed or cold
• soft, furry hair on face, back, and arms
• heart and blood pressure problems

Risk Factors

• Alcoholism or depression in the family
• Early puberty or tallness
• Being a perfectionist and low self-esteem
• Certain illness, especially juvenile diabetes

Incidence

• 1% of teenage girls become anorexic
• Over 90% of patients are female

Onset

• Peak times of onset are at age 12-13 and age 17

Treatment

• Medical Evaluation-though blood tests are often normal despite significant physical impairment
• Psychotherapy-Individual and/or family resolve conflicts and improve self-esteem
• Groups-can be useful adjunct to patients and/or families
• Nutritional Counseling- to restore weight
• Medication-sometimes can be helpful for associated physical or emotional discomforts
• Hospitalization is sometimes needed