Eating Disorders Program
Anorexia
Anorexia is thought to affect approximately 0.5-1% of American women, and 90-95% of those suffering from anorexia are girls and women. Anorexia typically develops in early to mid adolescence, and if left untreated will get progressively worse.
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illness, with 5-20% of those affected dying from complications of the disease.
Characteristics:
- Body weight of 15% below that of the expected weight for that individual according to age, height, and body frame.
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
- Disturbance in the way that one's body weight or shape is perceived.
- Self esteem/worth is dependent upon body weight or shape.
- Absence of three menstrual periods in a row.
Other Characteristics
- Anorexics tend to have a strong desire to please others and to avoid stressful situations. In addition, they often tend to create strict rules for themselves, especially in regards to food.
- Individuals with anorexia tend to be withdrawn and isolate themselves from social situations.
- They will often wear baggy clothes to hide excessive weight loss.
- They tend to experience changes in personality such as irritability, suspiciousness, secretiveness, hostility, and inflexibility.
Health Consequences:
- Development of Osteoporosis or Osteopenia from loss of bone density due to excessive weight loss
- Abnormally slow heart rate and blood pressure, indicative of changing heart muscle—increased risk for heart failure as blood pressure decreases
- Muscle loss and weakness
- Severe dehydration, which may lead to kidney failure
- Fainting, fatigue, dizziness, blackouts, and difficulty concentrating.
- Dry hair and skin, with hair loss
- Growth of lanugo (downy layer of hair) all over the body, in order to insulate and keep the body warm
Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa
- Dramatic weight loss
- Preoccupation with food, weight, calories, dieting, and exercise
- Refusal to eat certain foods; often progresses to restrictions against whole food categories (no carbohydrates for example)
- Frequent comments about feeling "fat" or overweight despite weight loss
- Anxiety associated with gaining weight or becoming "fat"
- Denial of hunger
- They will often develop food rituals (chewing everything a certain number of times, cutting food into very tiny pieces, eating foods in certain order, arranging food in certain ways on the plate).
- Consistent excuses to avoid mealtime or situations involving food and eating
- Excessive and rigid exercise regimen despite weather, fatigue, illness, and even injury
- Withdrawal from typical social activities and friends and family
