Anorexia Nervosa

Eating so little that they are at the point of starvation, people with anorexia tend to experience unhealthy weight loss. Despite becoming dangerously thin, people with anorexia nervosa are convinced that they are still overweight or fat. At the same time, although an anorexic may weigh less than what is normal for their age or sex, they do not necessarily have low body weight. Therefore, early intervention for anorexia nervosa is essential before the symptoms of anorexia escalate, doing greater physical damage.

Some of the behavioral symptoms of anorexia nervosa include excessive exercising, extreme thinness, a distorted self-image, depression and anxiety, and restrictive eating patterns. Furthermore, the physical symptoms of anorexia include heart damage, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), and multi-organ failure. Anorexia nervosa usually requires early intervention and inpatient treatment.

Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Women’s Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)