What are the Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia?

October 2, 2023 | by Sravani Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to severe restrictions in food intake and extreme efforts to maintain a low body weight. Signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:

  1. Significant Weight Loss:
    • Rapid, substantial weight loss or failure to gain weight during periods of growth, leading to being significantly underweight for one’s age and height.
  2. Obsession with Weight and Food:
    • Preoccupation with weight, body shape, and food intake, often accompanied by calorie counting, rigid dieting, or excessive exercise.
  3. Body Image Distortion:
    • A distorted perception of one’s body weight or shape, perceiving oneself as overweight despite being underweight.
  4. Food Restriction:
    • Limiting food intake, avoiding certain foods or food groups, and having strict eating habits or rituals around food.
  5. Excessive Exercise:
    • Engaging in extreme or compulsive exercise routines to burn calories and lose weight, often despite physical exhaustion or injury.
  6. Changes in Eating Patterns:
    • Skipping meals, making excuses to avoid eating, or displaying unusual eating behaviors, such as cutting food into tiny pieces.
  7. Fatigue and Weakness:
    • Feeling tired, weak, or lacking energy due to inadequate nutrition and calorie intake.
  8. Physical Signs:
    • Thin appearance, brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss, lanugo (fine hair growth all over the body), and cold intolerance.
  9. Digestive Problems:
    • Constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues due to restricted food intake.
  10. Social Withdrawal:
    • Avoiding social gatherings, isolating oneself, or becoming increasingly withdrawn from friends and family.
  11. Emotional Changes:
    • Mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, or emotional instability often associated with the stress and anxiety related to body weight and food.
  12. Denial of the Severity of the Condition:
    • Minimizing the seriousness of being underweight, denying the physical effects of anorexia, or resisting treatment.

It’s crucial to seek professional help if you suspect someone is struggling with anorexia or if you’re experiencing these symptoms yourself. Anorexia can have severe health consequences and requires a comprehensive treatment approach involving medical, nutritional, and psychological support. Early intervention is key to improving outcomes and preventing complications.

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