Anorexia

ANOREXIA NERVOSA Anorexia Nervosa is a severe eating disorder, which can be life-threatening. It is characterized by a fear of gaining any weight and a warped perception of their body size and shape. People with this eating disorder think they are overweight even when they are extremely thin and their health is in danger. People with anorexia have very little food intake and usually become dangerously thin. Anorexia usually gets out of control and without medical help can become fatal. WHAT CAUSES ANOREXIA' Anorexia can be caused by many different factors. Most people believe anorexia is caused by the emphasis of thinness in today’s society. Media images of thin actors and models make many people think they can only be glamorous and successful if they are very thin. People with low self –esteem and stress also tend to develop anorexia. There is no one certain factor that causes anorexia, it can be caused by society, the media, or problems one is having in their own personal life. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS' The most common sign of anorexia is the restrictive amount of food intake and the thought that they are fat even when they are extremely thin. Anorexics tend to eat very little food, exercise very hard, use laxatives, and sometimes will make themselves throw up. They may also collect recipes and eat lots of sweets in replace for “real” food. Anorexics usually do not notice they have a problem and when confronted about the disorder they deny the problem and reject medical treatment. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS' • menstrual periods stop in women, in men the level of sex hormones decrease • fatigue and muscle weakness • dry, yellowish skin • brittle hair and often hair loss • depression • hypothermia because of loss of body temperature WHAT LONG TERM EFFECTS DOES ANOREXIA HAVE ON THE BODY' Anorexia can cause life threatening medical complications. Anorexics starve themselves so much that it can cause damage to vital organs that are needed for everyday life. The most common long term effects are irregular heart rhythms, osteoporosis, low blood pressure, and even heart failure. Many people die each year from the severe complications associated with anorexia. WHO DEVELOPS ANOREXIA' Most eating disorders occur during the teenage years, although it can occur at any age. Anorexia usually affects teenage girls, but men also develop the disorder. The disorder affects whites and higher class people more than anyone else. Anorexia also tends to affect athletes where thinness is valued and apprized, such as cheerleading, dancing, etc. HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM ANOREXIA' There are more cases of Anorexia each year than people are aware of. Researchers estimate that 0.5 to 1 percent of young females in the U.S. actually have a severe case of anorexia. However, many other teenagers, women, and men have misrepresented body images and low food intake which is not actually considered anorexia. Anorexics should get help immediately and maybe even contact a medical facility to receive a cure. WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE' Anorexia is treated many different ways. If anorexia is a mental illness it is treated through psychotherapy. But, most of the time anorexia has to be treated by hospitalizing the patient in order to regain a healthy weight. This is often hard to achieve because the patient refuses to eat. After a healthy weight is regained the patient will then be sent home, but will have to meet with a dietitian to help them with nutrition and meal planning. But, treating anorexia is a difficult task and recovery is a long, hard struggle for the patient as well as the medical professionals and family members. After receiving treatment for the disorder, anorexia usually reoccurs in almost half of the patients. *WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION ON ANOREXIA' National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, PO Box 7, Highland Drive 60035. Hotline: 1-847-831-3438. *Contact Information found at www.anad.org/.