Anorexia Nervosa Fact Sheet

Hello, everybody!  Today we will be talking about the basics of anorexia nervosa.  I figure that if we’re going to be covering this as a topic in future posts, we’ll likely do well with an informational page to refer to.  The saying is “know thy enemy” and here we’re dealing with a pretty complicated one. 

So… what is anorexia nervosa? 

Anorexia nervosa has been outlined as “an eating disorder defined by a refusal to maintain minimal body weight within 15 percent of an individual's normal weight” (www.nami.org.)  Some characteristics of this eating disorder include a severe, pathological fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and denial of the seriousness of the illness (nami.org.)  

What are some signs of anorexia nervosa?

Signs generally vary from person to person, like most things, but some recurring common denominators are a refusal to eat or the exhibition of extreme ritualistic behavior revolving around eating, a pervasive preoccupation with food and weight, and (frequently) pronounced, noticeable weight loss, followed by a denial of the weight loss and the continued belief that one is fat.  Other good indicators are personality changes, withdrawal from social activities or from other activities that were once important to him/her (I do find it ironic—anorexia is partially characterized by a refusal to consume, and yet it seems to consume everything around it), low self-esteem, dishonesty regarding food intake, a depressed or flat mood, and etc.  (References: mayoclinic.com; helpguide.org.) 

Who is affected by anorexia nervosa?

While this has been stigmatized as an adolescent woman’s illness, studies have indicated that it also afflicts men, children, and adult women of any age group (nami.org.)  In other words, it could happen to anyone.  More than 90 percent of those who develop the disorder, however, are in fact young or adolescent women.  

What are some symptoms of anorexia nervosa?

Again, symptoms vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

Irritability

Nervousness/paranoia

Inability to concentrate

Fatigue

Confusion/dementia

What are some physical complications/side effects of anorexia nervosa?

I repeat the varying thing. You get the idea. : ) Some physical complications and side effects of anorexia include, but are not limited to:

Osteoporosis/brittle bones

Changes in brain chemistry/seizures/potential damage  

Heart arrhythmia/disease/coronary

Kidney failure/changes in kidney function 

(References: umm.edu)

What causes anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa can be caused by any manner of factors, from genetics, to psychiatric disorders, to something so simple as environment.  The actual causes of anorexia, however, at this point, are unknown.  According to nami.org, the primary causes seem to be a mix of genetics and environment.  In fact, anyone with a relative (or relatives) who have had anorexia are ten times more likely to develop the disorder themselves, than a person without a relative who has developed the disorder.  Substance abuse and depression have also been linked to the onset of anorexia.  

In conclusion…

I hope that this fact sheet was helpful! ^_^ If anyone has any questions or wants to learn more, let me know and I’ll help find resources!

Tootles! <3 

Love, 

Kate 

(That is a Mario reference on my shirt, lol.)