As an eating disorder, anorexia nervosa is characterized by abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Read this article to learn more about anorexia nervosa, including its symptoms, causes, and risk factors.
There are physical and emotional/behavioral symptoms of anorexia nervosa.
Physical symptoms
Fatigue
Insomnia
Intolerance of cold
Low blood pressure
Dehydration
Dizziness or fainting
Extreme weight loss
Emotional/behavioral symptoms
Skipping meals
Lying about how much food has been eaten
Making excuses for not eating
Spitting food out after chewing
Complaining about being fat or having parts of the body that are fat
Social withdrawal
Irritability
The exact cause of anorexia is unknown, but psychologists and researchers found that it may be a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. There may be genetic changes that make one at a higher risk of developing anorexia; in addition, perfectionism or anxiety may lead to anorexia. Lastly, the cultural background of an individual affects how one characterizes beauty. When the culture emphasizes thinness, the desire to be thin may lead to anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia is more common amongst girls and women, however, boys and men have increasingly developed eating disorders. Genetics, dieting, and starvation, as well as transitions such as moving to a new school or experiencing emotional ups and downs all contribute to increasing the risk of getting anorexia.
Oftentimes, people get anorexia to cope with emotional problems such as anxiety and stress. There is no guaranteed way to prevent anorexia, but developing good eating habits and discovering early symptoms are often helpful.
Hope this article helped you learn more about anorexia nervosa. Thanks for reading!
Written by: Benetta Wang
Sources:
“Anorexia Nervosa - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 20 Feb. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591.
Wint, Carmella. “Anorexia Nervosa.” Healthline, 4 Aug. 2017, www.healthline.com/health/anorexia-nervosa.
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