Anorexia Nervosa

What is it?

Anorexia Nervosa is the name of an eating disorder where the individual experiences a severe and prolonged inability to eat and significant weight loss.

What causes it?

While the exact cause is unknown, many individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa have internalized the "thin ideal" from, among a host of other factors including media, a prior experience with a loved one and/or another significant person in which their weight and/or size was questioned. Further study is under way.

How do you know when someone has it?

An individual that suffers from Anorexia:

• Refuses to keep body weight at the minimum for their age and height
• Shows strong fear of gaining weight or getting fat
• Exhibits a significant disturbance in the perception of the shape or size of his or her body
• If female, will miss at least three consecutive menstrual periods

Other symptoms may include:

• Restricting food or liquids
• Binge-eating
• Self-induced vomiting
• Too much exercise
• Laxative, Ipecac, water pill, diet pill, or enema abuse
• Appetite loss
• Low body temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure
• Swelling
• Constipation
• Intolerance of cold

A number of these symptoms can be life threatening. Often, sufferers are preoccupied with food and many will withdraw socially.

What can happen to people with Anorexia?

Anorexia is most common with female teens, although about 10% of cases involve males. The results of anorexia vary widely: most people experience partial recoveries followed by relapses, although some people may recover after a single episode. Anorexia can become increasingly severe until death results from malnutrition or heart problems. When death occurs, it is usually the result of starvation, suicide, or electrolyte imbalance.

How do you help a loved one suffering from Anorexia?

Anorexics often respond favorably to counseling and therapy. This therapy can be done individually, in a group, or with the family. Nutritional counseling is often offered as well. The nature of the specific treatment required depends on the amount of weight loss and the physical health of the individual when they enter treatment; there can be more or less control of the individual's eating and environment. A severely ill Anorexic requires medical or psychiatric hospitalization. In such situations, eating, urinating, bowel movements, and vomiting are monitored closely. As weight stabilizes and eating habits improve, the Anorexic little by little is re-given control. Structure, a good behavioral treatment plan, and long-term follow-up are essential at any degree of severity.

How CERTS helps those with Anorexia

For most who struggle with an eating disorder, the eating disorder is a secondary, coping mechanism.  What is primary for most of them is profound self hatred and depression--and the eating disorder is simply a means of coping through having control. Because CERTS programs are designed to get at the core issues through intensive experiential therapy, we have been highly successfully over the years in changing self concept and in creating lasting change around eating habits. Success results from a comprehensive program that balances clinical therapy, experiential therapy, and education, both nutritional and academic, while providing appropriate medical care.

Learn More About Anorexia

American Academy of Family Physicians
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

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