Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder seen mostly in young women.



In simple terms, it means self –Starvation. The disorder affects people of both sexes from age 8 to 30’s or even older. Anorexic individuals try loose their normal body weight, get afraid of gaining weight and are always worried of their shape and size of body.



They generally try various methods to loose weight such as reducing diet completely, purging i.e. self-induced vomiting and even excessive exercising. In postmenarcheal females amenorrhea(hormonal dysfunction) is more common problem caused due to weight loss.

Due to underweight, many anorexic individuals show depressive symptoms such as irritability, depressed mood, social withdrawal, insomnia and lack of interest in any pleasurable activity.



Obsessisive Compulsive disorder is the most prominent problem related to anorexia. They are generally preoccupied with the thoughts of food. These individuals are obsessed with their body weight,shape,figure and food.

There are two types of Anorexia nervosa: Restricting type ,wherein an individual stops eating without self induced vomiting and Purging type, wherein an individual eats and then purges out by vomiting.

The causes of anorexia are unknown.



Some of the causes are considered to be slender and attractive in the society. The other cause is a physical disorder caused by a deficiency  of a chemical in he brain or due to disturbance of the hypothalamus. The other cause considered is Psychological, in a sense patients have a fear of growing up and fear of sexuality.



Anorexic can lead to Physical problems such as anemia, hyperacidity, low sugar levels, low platelets and combined physiological problem. Due to starvation, physical symptoms such as dryness of skin, abdominal pain, lanugo (a fine downy body hair),and constipation.

Anorexia is generally seen in the age group of 14 – 18 years but varies to some degree. It is mostly seen in females as compared to males, but both sexes are affected.

The early signs of anorexia are lowering of weight by dieting, dissatisfaction even after losing weight, interruption of regular menstruation, weakness, refusal to eat, grossly distorted body image and weight loss till the body looks like a skeleton. If the symptoms persists for more than 3 months, family members should seek an medical advise.

The immediate goal of treatment is to get the patients to eat, to gain weight and to live a healthy life by motivating and encouraging the patient. Patients are also taught to gain insight into their feelings in order to change their perspective. Patients with anorexia need long term support even after they have stopped starvation.