Anorexia Nervosa

An eating condition known as anorexia (anorexia nervosa) causes severe calorie restriction, which frequently, but not always, results in a nutritional deficit and extremely low body weight. Anorexics also have a skewed perception of their bodies and a severe fear of acquiring weight. They frequently fail to acknowledge how bad the illness is.

You’re not alone if you find yourself thinking about food and weight all the time. This is really typical, particularly in the culture of today. However, an obsession with food or weight may indicate a more serious issue. As soon as possible, get professional assistance if you or a loved one starts to have severe anxiety or panic related to gaining weight. Anorexia is a disorder that affects the mind and body. It can cause starvation, major health problems, and even death if left untreated.

Categories of anorexia

Based on eating habits, anorexia nervosa can be divided into two subtypes:

Restrictive anorexia:

Suffering from this subtype drastically restricts the kind and quantity of food they eat.

Binge-purge anorexia:

Anorexics who suffer from binge-purge anorexia severely limit the quantity and kind of food they eat. However, they also experience periods of purging and binge eating. They might devour a lot of food quickly, and then purposefully throw up or take laxatives or diuretics to get rid of it.

Symptoms and Causes

Anorexic behavioral indicators

Anorexia’s behavioral symptoms include:

• Alterations to mealtime rituals or habits, such as switching around the sequence in which you eat or arrange your food on a plate.
• An abrupt shift in dietary preferences, such as giving up on particular food groups or types.
• Saying things like “fat” or “overweight” a lot even after losing weight.
• Intentionally throwing up, abusing laxatives or diuretics, or both might be considered purging.
• Use the restroom straight after a meal.
• Abusing appetite suppressants or diet tablets.
• Excessive or obsessive exercise.
• Calorie restriction even in cases where your weight is modest for your height, age, and sex.
• Concealing weight loss and staying warm by dressing loosely or in layers.
• Removing oneself from social gatherings and loved ones.

Diagnosis

How can anorexia be identified?

A healthcare provider can diagnose anorexia nervosa using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. The three prerequisites include:

• Restriction of calories consumed in a way that either causes weight reduction or prevents weight gain. Because of this, your body weight, considering your age, sex, height, and growth stage, is noticeably lower.
• Severe anxiety over putting on weight or becoming “fat.”
• Have a skewed perception of who you are and how serious your health issue is.

The DSM-5 criteria use body mass index (BMI) to categorize the severity of anorexia. Atypical anorexia is a condition where a person loses a substantial amount of weight yet still fits the criteria for anorexia but is not underweight.

Your healthcare practitioner will perform a thorough physical examination and take your medical history if you exhibit anorexia symptoms. The supplier will probably inquire about your:

• Nutritional background.
• History of exercise.
• Historical psychology.
• Physical appearance.
• Frequency of purging and elimination practices (including laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills).
• Eating disorder history in the family.
• Early diagnosis is the key to the optimal recovery outcome for anyone suffering from an eating problem, including anorexia. Make sure to speak with a physician right away if you or someone you know is exhibiting anorexia symptoms.