Anorexia Nervosa

*adapted from Michel & Willard, 2003

Anorexia nervosa is not to be confused with general anorexia, which means loss of appetite.  People who have anorexia nervosa do not lose their appetites, but refuse to maintain a normal body weight.  They lose as least 15% of normal weight for height and have an intense fear of gaining it back or becoming obese.  Anorexics also have a very unrealistic view of their bodies, most often believing that they are fat, even when severely emaciated.  Their self-esteem and self-worth is based on size, weight and body shape.  Females stop having menstrual cycles after a certain amount of weight is lost, or in prepubescent girls, the menstrual cycle may not begin due to weight loss.   Some affected by the disorder start a pattern of binge eating (eating a large amount of food in a relatively short period of time) followed by purging behavior (e.g., self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, fasting) to eliminate the calories they consume.

Associated Emotional Features of Anorexia

    • Irritability
    • Anger
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Warning Signs of Anorexia

    • Obsessive dieting
    • Loss of menstrual cycle
    • Claiming to feel fat when obviously not overweight
    • Measuring self worth in terms of weight and shape
    • Preoccupation with food, calories, and nutrition
    • Preparing food for others but not self
    • Hiding and collecting food
    • Denial of hunger
    • Excessive exercising
    • Frequent weighing
    • Use of laxatives and/or diuretics (fluid pills)
    • Vomiting to get rid of food eaten
    • Strange behaviors around food and eating
    • Exercise immediately preceding or following eating
    • Complaints of feeling bloated or nauseated when eating normal or small amounts of food
    • Attempts to get diet instructions and/or diet pills from doctors
    • Fear of being unable to stop eating
    • Isolation from peers and family
    • Wearing bulky clothing to hide figure
    • Sleep difficulties

 Physical Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia          

    • Slow heart rate
    • Low blood pressure
    • Low body temperature
    • Hair loss
    • Dry and yellowed skin
    • Brittle nails
    • Thin coating of soft body hair
    • Loss of menstrual cycle
    • Early morning awakening
    • Intolerance of cold
    • Abdominal pain
    • Constipation
    • Weakness
    • Swollen joints
    • Lightheadedness
    • Hyperactivity
    • Fatigue