Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder that is characterized by excessive exercising and limiting food to the point of starvation. While an obsession with weight and food is a factor in this disorder, the underlying cause of the disorder often relates to a person's quest for perfection, a distorted view of self image and an insatiable need for control. Anorexia is a potentially life threatening condition if left unchecked, leaving many patients well below what is considered a healthy weight for their height and build. Even though a patient might be thin to the point of being unhealthy, she may still see herself as overweight.

Anorexia primarily affects women, although some men are also diagnosed with the condition. It often begins in adolescents and is frequently seen in people who are in professions that are excessively concerned with outward appearance like actors, models and athletes.



Doctors are not sure exactly what causes Anorexia Nervosa, but risk factors might include being female, an obsession with outward appearance, a negative self image and a desire for perfectionism. There is some evidence that suggests anorexia may also have a genetic link and that family conflict may increase the risk for the disorder.

Symptoms

There are many physical and emotional symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa, which might include:

• Refusal to eat
• Excessive exercise
• Difficulty concentrating
• Obsession over food
• Substantial weight loss
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Thinning hair and brittle nails
• Absence of menstrual periods
• Dehydration
• Frequently feeling cold
• A covering of downy hair on the body

If any of these symptoms are detected, a medical professional should be consulted as soon as possible. If Anorexia Nervosa is not treated in the early stages of the condition, the patient may sustain serious physical damage to the body that can be life threatening. The sooner a diagnosis is made; the sooner doctors can go to work helping the patient from both a physical and a psychological standpoint.

Treatment

In some cases, the condition is severe enough to require hospitalization before psychological concerns can be addressed. Extreme cases may even require the use of a feeding tube for a period of time. Once the patient is stabilized, regular monitoring of vital signs may be required to ensure body systems can maintain normal functioning. In some cases, a primary care doctor will coordinate the care of an anorexic with other specialists, but it is also not uncommon for a mental health professional to handle the coordination of the care for someone with this condition. Once the patient is stabilized, the psychological aspects of the disorder can be addressed.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa may include psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy. This form of counseling will identify the underlying beliefs and thought processes that contributed to the condition and replace them with healthy, positive beliefs that will lead to better eating habits and an improved self concept.

Nutritional therapy with a dietician may also be incorporated to teach the patient how to eat properly. Most patients find a combination of psychotherapy and nutritional counseling is sufficient to help them overcome the disorder and move forward with their lives.



Return From Anorexia Nervosa To Eating Disorders

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape


footer for Anorexia Nervosa page