Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological and possibly life-threatening eating disorder

defined by an extremely low body weight relative to stature, extreme and needless
weight loss, illogical fear of weight gain, and distorted perception of self-image and
body.
Anorexia most commonly affects girls and women, although it has become more
common in boys and men in recent years. On average, the condition first develops at
around the age of 16 to 17.

Causes of Anorexia
Anorexia is not a simple disorder. It has many symptoms and effects, and its causes are
complex as well. Currently, it is thought that anorexia nervosa develops as a result of
multiple factors, both biological and environmental.
Examples of environmental factors that would contribute to the occurrence of this eating
disorder are:
 The effects of the thinness culture in media, that constantly reinforce thin people
as ideal stereotypes
 Professions and careers that promote being thin and weight loss, such as ballet
and modeling
 Family and childhood traumas: childhood sexual abuse, severe trauma
 Peer pressure among friends and co-workers to be thin or be sexy.
Examples of biological factors include:
 Irregular hormone functions
 Genetics
 Nutritional deficiencies

Anorexia Signs & Symptoms

An individual suffering from anorexia nervosa may reveal one or several signs and
symptoms such as:
 Chronic dieting despite being hazardously underweight
 Obsession with calories and fat contents of food
 Engaging in ritualistic eating patterns, such as cutting food into tiny pieces, eating
alone, and/or hiding food
  Continued fixation with food, recipes, or cooking; the individual may cook
intricate meals for others but refrain from partaking
 Amenorrhea: an abnormal absence of menstruation, or loss of 3 consecutive
menstrual cycles
 Depression or lethargic stage
 Development of lanugo: soft, fine hair that grows on face and body
 Reported sensation of feeling cold, particularly in extremities
 Loss or thinning of hair
 Avoidance of social functions, family, and friends. May become isolated and
withdrawn

Anorexia Treatment:
Effective, holistic eating disorder treatment of anorexia involves three necessary
components:
 Medical: The highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is addressing
any serious health issues that may have resulted from malnutrition, such as an
unstable heartbeat.
 Nutritional: This component encompasses weight restoration, implementation
and supervision of a tailored meal plan, and education about normal eating
patterns.
 Therapy: The goal of this part of treatment is to recognize underlying issues
associated with the eating disorder, address and heal from traumatic life events,
learn healthier coping skills and further develop the capacity to express and deal
with emotions.