Anorexia Nervosa

BY DARIELLE RAIRDAN AND MASON

WITTAL

About Anorexia Nervosa

Approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls

and women

Between 0.5-1% of American women suffer from anorexia

nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychiatric

diagnoses in young women

Between 5-20% of individuals struggling with anorexia

nervosa will die

Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest death rates of any

mental health condition

Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early to midadolescence

Anorexia vs Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is the loss of appetite. It can be

caused by depression, medication side effects,
and diseases such as cancer. People with
anorexia alone do not have low body weight.

Anorexia Nervosa is the fear of gaining

weight and having a poor body image.
Therefore eating is avoided which results in a
critically low body weight; a distorted body
image.

So basically Anorexia can simply be

treated by addressing the underlying medical
condition that causes it. Anorexia nervosa is a
separate disease that requires both medical
and psychiatric treatment

Causes

Extreme dieting: changes how the brain and

metabolism work

Genetics: family history of eating disorders

Mental disorders (anxiety, depression..)

Combinations of certain personality traits i.e.)

perfectionism

Stressful life events

Low self-esteem/Body dissatisfaction

History of physical or sexual abuse

Troubled family relationships

Warning Signs

Dramatic weight loss

Obsession with weight, food, calories, and

dieting

Refusal to eat certain foods

Frequent comments about feeling fat

Denial of hunger

Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or

situations involving food

Excessive, rigid exercise routine

Withdrawal from usual friends and activities

Symptoms

Inadequate food intake

Fear of weight gain (obsession with

weight and persistent behavior to
prevent weight gain)

Inability to see the severity of the

situation

Binge-eating/purging

Health Consequences

Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure- risk

of heart failure increases and blood pressure sinks lower

Reduction of bone density, resulting in dry, brittle bones

Muscle loss and weakness

Severe dehydration- can result in kidney failure

Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness

Dry hair and skin (hair loss is common)

Depression
Continued...

Steps to Recovery

Admit you have a problem- acknowledge the

physical and emotional damage that youve
suffered

Talk to someone for support while you try to get

better

Stay away from people, places, and activities that

trigger your obsession with being thin

Seek professional help- regain your body health,

learn to eat normally again, develop healthier
attitudes about food and your body

Treatment
Since anorexia nervosa involves both mind and body, a
team approach is often best.

Medical Treatment: stabilizing any serious health

issues

Nutritional Treatment: a nutritionist or dietitian will

teach you about healthy eating and proper nutrition to
reach or maintain a normal, healthy weight.

Counselling and Therapy: Identify the negative

thoughts and feelings that cause your eating disorder.
Replace them with healthier beliefs. Learn to deal with
difficult emotions, relationship problems, and stress in
a productive way.

Bibliography

http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/blogs/anorexia-nervosa-blog
s/anorexia-and-anorexia-nervosa-is-there-a-difference

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexianervosa/anorexia-nervosa-cause

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/anorexia-nervosa

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/anorexia-nerv
osa.htm

https://www.google.ca/search?q=anorexia+nervosa&biw=12
80&bih=785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEw
iIlLjPoN3JAhVM8mMKHbLWBQUQ_AUIBigB#imgrc
=_

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