| What Is Anorexia Nervosa? Anorexia
Nervosa is an eating disorder which includes a combination of social,
psychological, and physical problems. Individuals who suffer from
anorexia are unwilling or unable to maintain a body weight that is
normal for their age and height (www.edreferral.com).
People suffering from anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight
and beoming fat regardless of how underweight they might truly be.
Anorexia is a restricting type of disorder, the individuals who suffer
from it maintain their low body weight by restricting their meals and
increasing their activity. Anorexia is a life threatening disorder if
left untreated. If it is not treated it has a mortality rate of five to
eighteen percent. In the U.S. it is estimated that anorexia effects
1,000,000 people. Anorexia is 20 times more common in females than in
males, but males do suffer from this disorder as well. Anorexia
typically develops in individuals between the ages of 10 through 25.
Anorexia is more than just a problem with food and weight, it is a way
of using food and weight as a way to deal with emotional problems they
may be experiencing. Why do people become Anorexic? Their is no specific cause as to why people become anorexic. Most people suffering from anorexia may be experiencing problems in their life that they have no control over. They try to control their weight in a sense to feel power over a situation. Problems Anorexia may cause? Girls and women who are anorexic might stop having normal menstrual periods. People who are anorexic have dry skin and might have fine hair growing on their body. The head on their head may become thin. Anorexics may feel cold all the time, and they may get sick often. People with anorexia have a hard time concentrating. They are usually thinking about food. They are always hungry, but feeling hungry makes them think they have control over their lives and bodies. People with severe anorexia can die of starvation (www.anad.org). Treatment for Anorexia: It is hard to treat because most people who suffer from anorexia are in denial. People with severe anorexia, (have had the problem for more than six months), need to be in a hospital, usually in a special unit for people with eating disorders. Treatment involves changing the person's eating habits, and counseling. They will usually need counseling for a year or more so they can change the feelings that caused their eating problems. Some people with anorexia may be given medicines for depression. How can family and friends help? They should provide love, support and reassurance to the person suffering from anorexia. They should not give in to the pleading of a person with anorexia. Family and friends should try not to be judgemental and they should try to educate themselves on the disorder. |
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| Anorexia Nervosa |
| Models can have a negative effect on adolescents self-image |
| Although it is more common for women, men can also suffer from Anorexia |
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| Anorexics have a distorted body image |
| Where to get information: National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders www.anad.org |
| Warning Signs of Anorexia: *Deliberate starvation with a big weight loss *Fear of gaining weight *Refusal to eat *Denial of Hunger *Constant exercising *Greater amounts of hair on the body or face *Thinning hair on head *Sensitivity to cold *Absent or irregular periods *A feeling of being fat when the person is really too thin If you suspect you might have it you can take a self-evaluation quiz |
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