Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health condition with symptoms that vary based on the length and severity of the condition. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the following symptoms are present in all diagnosed cases.

Restriction of energy intake, resulting in significantly low body weight
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat (despite having a significantly low body weight)
Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape
Undue influence of weigh or shape on self-evaluation
Denial of the seriousness of low body weight

The symptoms of anorexia nervosa can be severe and, in some cases, deadly. Without treatment, between 5-20% of individuals with anorexia nervosa will die. With eating disorder treatment, this number decreases to 2-3%. Typically, anorexia nervosa appears in early to mid-adolescence, and it also disproportionately affects women.

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa signs vary on the length and severity of the disorder, which is why seeking anorexia treatment is vital. Provided below are some of the symptoms of anorexia:

Weight loss (significant or sudden)
Preoccupation with weight, body, food, calories, fat grams, exercise, and/or dieting
Refusal to eat certain foods or food group
Complaints of constipation, abdominal pain, cold intolerance, lethargy, and/or excess energy
Distorted self-image
Expressed anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat”
Denial of hunger
Development of food rituals
Avoidance of meals as well as other situations involving food

Participation in an excessive, rigid exercise regimen
Withdrawal from friends, family, and/or activities
Increased irritability
Concerned about eating in public
Limited insight into and/or denial of the above mentioned unhealthy behavioral or cognitive patterns
Post-puberty loss of menstrual period
Difficulty concentrating
Dizziness
Dental issues, such as enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth sensitivity

Health Consequences of Anorexia

As the condition worsens, the symptoms of anorexia nervosa eventually become more severe, including:

Slow heart rate and low blood pressure – the risk for heart failure increases as the heart rate and blood pressure decrease
Reduction of bone density (dry, brittle bones) – the risk for osteoporosis/osteopenia increases as bone density decreases
Muscle loss and weakness
Dehydration which can result in kidney failure
Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness
Dry hair and skin, hair loss
Growth of a downy layer of hair (lanugo) all over the body, including the face, to keep the body warm