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Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological and potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Those suffering
from this eating disorder are typically suffering from an extremely low body weight relative to their
height and body type.
Often referred to as BMI (Body Mass Index) is a tool that treatment providers often use to assess
the appropriateness of body weight for an individual struggling with an eating disorder.
Additionally, observations of eating patterns, exercise, and personality traits may give indications of
an anorexic diagnosis. Those struggling with anorexia frequently fear gaining weight and have a
distorted body image. They often believe they appear much heavier than they are.
Additionally, women and men who suffer from this eating disorder exemplify a fixation with a thin
figure and abnormal eating patterns. Anorexia nervosa is interchangeable with the term anorexia,
which refers to self-starvation and lack of appetite.
Binge/Purge Type – The person struggling with this type of eating disorder will often purge
after eating. This alleviates the fear of gaining weight and offsets some of the guilt of having
ingested forbidden, or highly restricted food. The compensatory purge behavior by the
individual with Binge/Purge Type anorexia may purge by exercising excessively, vomiting or
abusing laxatives.
Restrictive – The individual suffering from restrictive anorexia is often perceived as highly self-
disciplined. They restrict the quantity of food, calories and often high fat or high sugar foods.
They consume far fewer calories than are needed to maintain a healthy weight. This is a
heartbreaking form of self-starvation.
Though two classifications of this eating disorder exist, both types exhibit similar symptoms, such as
an irrational fear of weight gain and abnormal eating patterns.
Anorexia: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Articles For Treatment https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/anorexia
It has been said that genetics load the gun and environment pulls the trigger in eating disorders.
This eating disorder is based on genetic predisposition, personality traits, and environmental
factors.
Examples of environmental factors that would contribute to the occurrence of this eating disorder
are:
The effects of the thinness culture in media, that constantly reinforce thin people as ideal
stereotypes
Professions and careers that promote being thin and weight loss, such as ballet and modeling
Family and childhood traumas: childhood sexual abuse, severe trauma
Peer pressure among friends and co-workers to be thin or be sexy.
An individual suffering from anorexia nervosa may reveal one or several signs and symptoms such
as:
Though the restrictive eating patterns that characterize this anorexic eating disorder are similar to
dieting behaviors, there are stark differences between the two. The effects of the extreme behaviors
resulting from this disease are far more devastating and consequential than any ill effects from
dieting.
While someone may diet in an attempt to control weight, anorexia nervosa is often an attempt to
gain control over one’s life and emotions, especially in the light of traumatic events or a chaotic
environment.
While someone might diet in an attempt to lose weight as the primary goal, in anorexia they may
diet because they perceive losing weight as a way to achieve happiness and self-mastery.
Seeking anorexia recovery from a well-qualified team of eating disorder specialists, consisting of a
therapist, physician and nutritionist are recommended. Effective, holistic eating disorder
treatment of anorexia involves three necessary components:
Medical: The highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is addressing any serious
health issues that may have resulted from the eating disordered behaviors, such as
malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, amenorrhea and an unstable heartbeat.
Nutritional: This component encompasses weight restoration, implementation and
supervision of a tailored meal plan, and education about normal eating patterns.
Therapy: The goal of this part of treatment is to recognize underlying issues associated with
the eating disorder, address and heal from traumatic life events, learn healthier coping skills
and further develop the capacity to express and deal with emotions.
Anorexia: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Articles For Treatment https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/anorexia
Page Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on February 14, 2018
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com, Eating Disorders Information & Resources