WTF is Anorexia?

Standing on Body Weight Scale

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves restrictive eating patterns. The eating is so restrictive that it leads to mental and physical health problems. Obsessive thoughts about food and body may develop from this extreme dieting and nutritional deficits. Most people with this eating disorder also struggle with body image. They have a hard time seeing their body the same way everyone else sees it. Someone can have anorexia and still occasionally binge, purge, or struggle with compulsive exercise.

Anorexia affects people in many different body sizes. Larger-bodied individuals can also have anorexia, although they may be less likely to be diagnosed due to cultural prejudice against fat and obesity. A person does not need to be emaciated or underweight to be struggling. So don’t make the mistake of thinking someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. This mental illness impacts people of all genders, ages, races, and sexual orientations and has been impacting people for hundreds of years.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Behavioral

  • Dramatic weight loss

  • Obsession with weight, food, calories and, nutrition facts

  • Won't eat foods from certain foods groups

  • Makes a lot of comments about feeling “fat” despite being thin

  • Denies feeling hungry

  • Cooks meals for others but won’t eat it

  • Makes excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food

  • Expresses a need to “burn off” calories taken in

  • Exercises a ton even when they are sick, tired, or injured.

  • Has become withdrawn, isolate, and secretive

  • Has become more rigid in their personality

  • Terrified of weight gain or being “fat”

Physical

  • Gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)

  • Abnormal lab findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low blood cell counts, slow heart rate)

  • Dizziness/passing out

  • Feeling cold all the time

  • Sleep problems

  • Menstrual irregularities—amenorrhea, irregular periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a “true” period)

  • Fine hair on body (lanugo)

  • Thinning of hair on head, dry and brittle hair

  • Poor immune functioning

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Since anorexia nervosa is a cycle of malnutrition and self serve Asian, the body doesn't get the nutrients it needs to function normally. The body will begin to slow down all of its processes in order to conserve the energy which leads to serious medical consequences.

Bodies are normally pretty resilient and so health consequences aren't always obvious when looking at lab results. Labs can be perfect even though someone is close to death. Electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrest can be fatal for those with eating disorders.

If you think you might be struggling with Anorexia Nervosa and are curious about making a change, schedule a call with one of our therapists or dietitians here.