Signs & Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to maintain a healthy body weight. Individuals suffering from this disorder experience fear of weight gain and consistently diet in an attempt to calm this fear. These psychological and behavioral patterns remain even after symptoms of malnutrition develop from extreme weight loss. Distorted thinking patterns and perceptions about one's weight underlie and support the disorder. It's also common for people with anorexia to measure their self-worth in terms of how thin they are. Research indicates that the disorder exists in an estimated 0.5 percent to 1 percent of women living in the U.S. Estimates for men are lower-- 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent.

Symptoms of Anerexia Nervosa

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has the following symptom criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa: "Refusal to maintain body weight at or above minimally normal weight for age and height, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat-even though underweight, disturbance in the way in which one's body or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation or denial of the seriousness of current low body weight, and in women, the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles."

Associated Signs of Anerexia Nervosa

Psychological signs pre-existing malnutrition include a tendency toward a perfectionistic way of thinking and traits of a dependent personality. About half of those with anorexia experience excessive anxiety or depression. It's not clear if these excessive moods are present before the manifestation of the disorder or develop as a result of its manifestation. Frequently, there's a history of childhood sexual, physical or emotional abuse in women with this disorder.

Psychological signs related to the onset of malnutrition include irritability, a decrease in sexual interest and insomnia. Physical signs include emaciation, slowing of metabolism, weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and anemia. Corrosion of dental enamel occurs if vomiting is being used to purge. Frequently, the person experiences the development of ianugo--the growth of fine, pale hair on the face and upper body.

Sub-Types

In restricting-type anorexia, low weight is established and maintained by restricting food intake. Binge eating isn't present, and the person doesn't attempt to purge consumed food from the body. Low weight may also be maintained through excessive physical activity. Some people use a combination of both intake restriction and excessive activity.

In binge/purge anorexia, weight is established and maintained with a pattern of binge eating, followed by purging the consumed food by vomiting or the use of medications such as laxatives or diuretics. This sub-type of anorexia differs from bulimia nervosa. In bulimia, the person doesn't engage in binging and purging to maintain a below average body weight, and people with bulimia are typically at or above average body weight.