- Anorexia (a-neh-RECK-see ah) nervosa, typically
called anorexia, is a type of eating disorder that mainly affects girls
and young women. A person with this disorder has an intense fear of
gaining weight and limits the food she eats. She
-has a low body weight
-refuses to keep a normal body weight
-is extremely afraid of becoming fat
-believes she is fat even when she's very thin
-misses three (menstrual) periods in a row—for girls/women who have
started having their periods.
What causes it?
Anorexia is more than just a problem with food. It's a way of using food
or starving oneself to feel more in control of her life and to ease
tension, anger, and anxiety. While there is no single known cause of
anorexia, several things may contribute to the development of the
disorder:
-Biology. Several biological factors, including genetics and other
related hormones, may contribute in the onset the disorder.
-Culture. Some cultures in the U.S. have an ideal of extreme
thinness. Women may define themselves on how beautiful they are.
-Personal feelings. Someone with anorexia may feel badly about
herself, feel helpless, and hate the way she looks. She has unrealistic
expectations of herself and strives for perfection. She feels worthless,
despite achievements and perceives a social pressure to be thin.
-Stressful events or life changes. Things like starting a new
school or job or being teased to traumatic events like rape can lead to
the onset of anorexia.
-Families. People with a mother or sister with anorexia are more
likely to develop the disorder. Parents who think appearance is very
important, diet themselves, and criticize their children's bodies are more
likely to have a child with anorexia.
What are signs of anorexia?
A person with anorexia will have many of these signs:
-Looks a lot thinner
-Uses extreme measures to lose weight
-makes herself throw up
-takes pills to urinate or have a bowel movement (BM)
-takes diet pills
-doesn’t eat or follows a strict diet
-exercises a lot
-weighs food and counts calories
-moves food around the plate; doesn't eat it
-Has a distorted body image
-thinks she's fat when she's too thin
-wears baggy clothes to hide appearance
-fears gaining weight
-weighs herself many times a day
-Acts differently
-talks about weight and food all the time
-won't eat in front of others
-acts moody or depressed
-doesn't socialize
What happens to your body with anorexia?
The body doesn't get the energy from foods that it needs, so it slows
down. Look at the picture to find out how anorexia affects your health.
Can someone with anorexia get better?
Yes. People with this disorder can get better. The treatment depends on
what the person needs. The person must get back to a healthy weight. Many
times, eating disorders happen with other problems, like depression and
anxiety problems. These problems are treated along with the anorexia and
may involve medicines that help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
With outpatient care, the patient goes to the hospital during the day for
treatment, but lives at home. Sometimes, the patient goes to a hospital
and stays there for treatment. Different types of health care providers,
like doctors, nutritionists, and therapists, will help the patient get
better. These providers will help the patient regain the weight, improve
physical health and nutrition, learn healthy eating patterns, and cope
with thoughts and feelings related to the disorder. After leaving the
hospital, the patient continues to get help from her providers. Individual
counseling can also help someone with anorexia. Counseling may involve the
whole family too, especially if the patient is young. Support groups may
also be a part of treatment. Support groups help patients and families
talk about their experiences and help each other get better.
Can women who had anorexia in the past still get pregnant?
It depends. Women who have fully recovered from anorexia have a better
chance of getting pregnant. While a woman has active anorexia, she does
not get her usual period and doesn't normally ovulate, so it would be
harder to get pregnant. However, she may get pregnant as she regains
weight because her reproductive system is getting back to normal. After
they gain back some weight, some women may skip or miss their periods,
which can cause problems getting pregnant. If this happens, a woman should
see her doctor.
Can anorexia hurt a baby when the mother is
pregnant?
If a woman with active anorexia gets pregnant, the baby and mother can be
affected. The baby is more likely to be born at a low weight and born
early. The mother is more likely to have a miscarriage, deliver by
C-section, and have depression after the baby is born.
What should I do if I think someone I know has
anorexia?
1. Set a time to talk. Set aside a time to privately talk about
your concerns with your friend. Be open and honest. Make sure you talk in
a place away from distractions.
2. Tell your friend about your concerns. Tell your friend about
specific times when you were worried about her eating or exercise
behaviors. Explain that you think these things may show a problem that
needs professional help.
3. Ask your friend talk about these concerns. She could talk to a
counselor or doctor who knows about eating issues. If you feel
comfortable, offer to help your friend make an appointment or go with her
to her appointment.
4. Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills with your friend. If
your friend doesn’t admit to a problem, repeat your feelings and the
reasons for them. Be a supportive listener.
5. Don’t place shame, blame, or guilt on your friend. Do not use
accusatory “you” statements like, "You just need to eat."Or, “You are
acting irresponsibly.” Instead, use “I” statements like, “I’m concerned
about you because you refuse to eat breakfast or lunch.” Or, "It makes me
afraid to hear you vomiting."
6. Avoid giving simple solutions. Don’t say, "If you'd just stop,
then everything would be fine!"
7. Express your continued support. Remind your friend that you care
and want her to be healthy and happy.
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