Anorexia Warning Signs

It’s no secret that anorexia nervosa is an epidemic that’s been sweeping the nation, especially among preteen and teen girls. As young girls and boys grow into their bodies and start to experience changes brought on by puberty, many start to starve themselves as a way of gaining control over these uncomfortable changes. Additionally, with the amount of stick-thin models that teens are exposed to on a daily basis, it’s no wonder that America’s youth are in a constant battle with their weight.
However, anorexia is not just a battle that’s being fought by the youth – in fact, more adult women and men than ever are dealing with their body confidence issues by starving themselves of much-needed nutrition. Experts have even reported an epidemic of middle-aged women suffering from anorexia, as increasing divorce rates (and the uncontrollable stress that follows suit) have many women starving themselves as a way to gain control over some facet of their lives.

The formal definition of anorexia nervosa is the sufferer’s overwhelming fear of being seen as “fat” by his or her peers, and the subsequent pursuit of thinness. While many people lose weight through healthy means, anorexics are never satisfied with their weight-loss, as their brains won’t allow them to see themselves as anything but “fat”. Anorexia nervosa is classified under body dysmorphic disorders, as it is a psychological disease that does not allow the sufferer to distinguish reality from his or her own point of view. Additionally, anorexics usually suffer from co-concurring psychological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), unhealthy self-esteem issues and other damaging illnesses. Anorexics will also typically grow up in an unsupportive environment, and use weight-loss as a means to gain attention, be it positive or negative. New research also supports that victims of eating disorders are genetically predisposed to developing these debilitating diseases, with scientists hopeful about the chances of identifying and treating these specific genes before future problems may arise.

If you suspect that someone may suffer from anorexia, here are the identifying symptoms:

1. Rapid weight-loss that’s not related to another healthy issue (such as an irregular thyroid or cancer);
2. An overwhelming obsession with his or her weight, coupled with a fear of being seen as fat by peers and family members;
3. A distorted view of his or her body, which can be heard through indirect negative comments about the sufferer’s body or weight;
4. An unhealthy obsession with food and the inability to finish a meal;
5. The desire to eat alone, away from the view of others;
6. The refusal to gain weight, even when faced with a life-threatening weight.

If a loved one displays any or all of these symptoms, stage an intervention immediately by seeking professional help. If caught early, anorexia can be highly treatable with therapy alone; however, those with more advanced cases may require hospitalization to be force-fed until a healthy weight is reached. If you think that you have a problem, don’t be ashamed to ask for help from a family member or friend – after all, being anorexia, no matter what you might think, is not your fault.

Tags: Anorexia, warning signs