ANOREXIA NERVOSA - Symptoms & Causes

Anorexia Nervosa is a condition where one is obsessed with their weight, shape and a control over food to the point of becoming too thin and unhealthy and yet deny anything is wrong.

Losing weight is the never-ending goal via refusing to eat, exercise, diuretics, laxatives and vomiting. This behavior can lead to severe health problems and death.



Physical Symptoms:

• weight loss of 15% below average or more
• too thin, bony appearance
• abnormal blood counts
• fatigue, dizziness, fainting
• brittle nails, osteoporosis
• hair thins, breaks easily or falls out
• body becomes covered with a soft "peach fuzz"
• in females, menstruation stops or skips often
• constipation
• dry skin
• very sensitive to cold
• irregular heart beat, low blood pressure
• dehydration
• erosion of tooth enamel from vomiting

Emotional & Behavioral Symptoms:

• refusal to eat or eats very little
• denial of being hungry when one should be
• excessive exercise
• lack of emotions
• difficulty concentrating
• preoccupied with food
• constantly makes excuses for not eating
• has an unusual list of "safe" or "unsafe" foods
• develops unusual eating rituals
• weighs food
• counts calories of everything eaten
• vomits after eating
• weighs self often
• checks body image in mirror often
• wears big or bulky clothes to hide "fat" body
• often complains about being fat

The cause of Anorexia Nervosa is unknown. It is suspected that a combination of factors cause it including biology, psychology and culture. Scientists are trying to isolate a responsible gene and are studying the hypothalamus and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) to find contributory causes.

Biological Suspects:

• Genetics- women with sisters or mothers with Anorexia are more likely to develop it themselves. Studies of twins suggest a genetic link as well
• 95% of anorexia sufferers are female
• Anorexia Nervosa is most common in Caucasians
• Serotonin is suspected of playing a role

Psychological Suspects:

• Low self esteem
• Poor body image
• Obsessive Compulsive traits
• Drive for perfectionism in endeavors- school, sports, body
• Fear of growing up/maturing into an adult and thus becoming independent/leave family behind

Cultural Suspects:

• Dancers, ballerinas and models are pressured to be thin
• Athletes such as runners, wrestlers, figure skaters and gymnasts are pressured to keep their weight down
• Role models in the media (television, magazines, films) are thin

Science suggests that certain people are susceptible or vulnerable to becoming anorexic and that some life event triggers it:

• Compliments on weight loss during a diet cause the person to become obsessed with losing more without having a healthy goal or target weight
• Ridicule or teasing about gained weight or about current weight
• Coach or parent suggest weight should be lost to excel at sports, dance or other endeavor
• Puberty causes some people to become negatively sensitive about their changing weight and shape. Anorexia is most like to start during teenage years but can start at any age.
• Transitions such as a new home, school, job, breaking up of a relationship, or death/illness of a family member or loved one causes a strong need to regain control over own life

Today, many schools and doctors are monitoring Body Mass Index (BMI) and letting the parents know when their child's too-high or too -low weight endangers their health. Some countries fashion houses are implementing rules for their models regarding minimum age and BMI.

Here is a link for you to calculate your BMI:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

For a listing and some pictures of famous people who have or have died from anorexia/bulimia click on http://brainsyoursmineours.blogspot.com/2009/01/famous-people-with-eating-disorders.html#links

Click on this link to read about the treatment of anorexia and bulimia http://brainsyoursmineours.blogspot.com/2009/01/anorexia-bulimia-treatment.html#links

Be aware.

Intervene.

Save a friend.