The Signs of Anorexia

Overview

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects mostly young women but can also be seen in men. People with anorexia always think they are overweight, no matter how thin they become. Anorexics literally starve themselves by refusing to eat or by eating only small amounts of certain types of foods. No one knows for sure why eating disorders like anorexia develop in some people and not in others, but to get help for yourself or someone else, you must be able to recognize and acknowledge the symptoms.

Two Types of Anorexic Behavior

A diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is made when the symptoms meet certain criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR), used by psychiatric professionals to diagnose patients and treat them appropriately. The DSM lists two types of anorexic behavior. One is the restricting type, which is someone who does not regularly binge and then purge by vomiting or using enemas, laxatives or diuretics. The restricting type avoids eating. The other type of anorexic does binge-eat and then uses purging methods to rid her body of the food she consumed. People with anorexia are usually withdrawn and secretive about their behavior, so it can be difficult to see the early warning signs.

Secrecy

Someone with anorexia may lose large amounts of weight in a short period of time and then dress in many layers to cover up the weight loss. Since anorexics usually feel guilty about eating, they often eat secretly and when they are alone. Some anorexics actually eat a reasonable amount of food and then exercise compulsively to work off the calories. Anorexics can also spend extended periods of time in the bathroom where no one can see them purging.

Low Body Weight

People with anorexia are very afraid of getting fat and as a result may eat very little. You may think someone with anorexia is eating when in fact she is just pushing food around on the plate and actually eating little to nothing. When anorexics do eat, they will often eat only very small amounts of very low-calories foods. When compulsive exercise is combined with extreme dieting, the condition is known as exercise anorexia. Eventually, people with anorexia take on an emaciated appearance similar to that of anyone who is starving.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, or loss of menstrual periods for no other cause, is common among female anorexics of child-bearing age. Low body weight, excessive exercise and hormonal imbalances, common to anorexia, all contribute to amenorrhea. This condition may continue long after anorexia is resolved.

Dental Decay

Sometimes a dentist is the first to discover an eating disorder during a routine dental exam. Anorexics who purge may have tell-tale signs of lost enamel on the back of their teeth that result from excessive vomiting.

Psychological Problems

In addition to the physical changes that occur with anorexia, people with this condition often withdraw from social situations and become moody, irritable and depressed. Psychological disorders may be a side effect of anorexia or they may co-exist or preexist as separate conditions.

Effects

The effects of anorexia are ultimately the same as the effects of starvation. These include malnutrition, altered metabolism, electrolyte imbalance, weight loss, fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, jaundice, constipation, intolerance to cold temperatures, brain changes, depression, social withdrawal, insomnia and low sex drive. Anorexics are so afraid of becoming fat, they will do anything to stay as thin as possible, even starve themselves to death.