Definitions
Anorexia Nervosa
An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image leading to restricted food intake and excessive weight loss.
Body Dysmorphia
A mental disorder involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance, which is either minor or not observable to others.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. A BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight.
Physical Symptoms of Anorexia
Physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa primarily result from malnutrition. This can lead to significant weight loss, with individuals often having a BMI well below the normal range. Additional physical symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and fainting as a result of inadequate nutrition. Individuals might also experience amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, in females due to hormonal imbalances.
Furthermore, there can be visible signs such as thinning hair or hair loss, dry skin, and brittle nails. In more severe cases, persons may experience lanugo, a fine layer of hair growth on the body as a way to conserve body heat due to fat and muscle loss.
Psychological Symptoms of Anorexia
Psychologically, anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight, even when individuals are underweight. This fear often leads to behaviors such as obsessive calorie counting, food restriction, excessive exercise, and fasting.
There is often a high level of denial about the seriousness of the condition, and patients may also have low self-esteem and suffer from depression or anxiety. Social withdrawal is common as those affected often avoid eating in front of others.
Behavioral Features of Anorexia
Behaviorally, individuals with anorexia display rigid eating patterns and severe food restrictions. They might cut food into tiny pieces, refuse to eat around others, or invent reasons to skip meals. This often goes hand-in-hand with obsessive exercise routines aimed at burning calories and losing weight.
Such individuals may also engage in activities such as frequent weighing, often multiple times a day, and looking in mirrors to check their perceived flaws. This ritualistic behavior strongly indicates an underlying psychological issue beyond just the physical manifestations.
Health Consequences of Anorexia
The health consequences of anorexia can be severe and life-threatening. Chronic malnutrition can lead to cardiac complications such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure), which can increase the risk of heart failure. Osteoporosis, or the loss of bone density, presents another serious risk due to poor calcium intake, making bones fragile and more prone to fractures.
Kidney and liver damage are also possible, due to dehydration and starvation impacting organ function. Electrolyte imbalances due to lack of nutrients can cause severe muscle weakness and can impact brain function, potentially leading to seizures or other neurological issues.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment for anorexia often involves a combination of psychological therapy, nutritional education, and medical monitoring. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a popular approach, assisting individuals in challenging and changing unwanted thoughts and behaviors related to body image and food.
Nutritional rehabilitation seeks to help individuals reach and maintain a healthy weight, often involving dietitians who work to create customized eating plans. Medical monitoring is crucial to handle any physical complications that arise from the condition.
To remember :
Anorexia nervosa is a complex psychological and physical disorder involving an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted body image. It is marked by severe food restriction, extreme weight loss, and various physical and psychological symptoms. Key physical symptoms include malnutrition and its effects, while psychological symptoms involve obsessive fear and distorted self-perception. Treatment requires a comprehensive approach, focusing on both psychological and nutritional rehabilitation to ensure recovery and prevent long-term health consequences.
