Anorexia, also called anorexia nervosa, is a mental condition in which a patient misperceives her body weight and feels that she needs to lose weight even though she is below normal body weight for her age and height. Without treatment, this condition can be fatal or cause permanent damage to body organs. A typical sufferer is a female in her teens or 20s, but both males and females of any age can fall victim to this disorder. Family members should be aware of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa as the vast majority of victims do not realize that their eating patterns are harmful.
Below Normal Body Weight
Someone who falls below normal body weight without medical reason may be suffering from anorexia. Chronic dieting, picking at food, obsessing over calories, lying about eating and only eating fat-free foods are warning signs of this disorder. Weight loss may be minimal or it may be severe with obvious signs of emaciation, such as bone protrusion.
Vomiting When Forced to Eat
The person with anorexia may excuse herself to the bathroom to vomit after she is placed in a situation in which she must eat. This may happen in public or in a family dining situation.
Compulsive Exercising
The person with anorexia may exercise compulsively out of fear of gaining weight. She may go far beyond the 30 minutes of daily activity recommended for good health.
Wearing Baggy Clothes
The person with anorexia may wear baggy clothes in an attempt to disguise her weight loss from concerned family members or friends. Nevertheless, she feels as though she is trying to achieve a desirable weight and that those concerned for her are misguided.
Frequent Weighing and Checking
The person with anorexia may weigh herself several times a day or check herself in the mirror for perceived flaws. This weighing and checking becomes obsessive, and her mood may fluctuate depending on her weight or her self-appearance.
Loss of Menstrual Period
A girl or woman with anorexia may cease having periods due to low body fat. Alternatively, her periods may become very light and infrequent.
Changes in Physical Appearance
The skin of the person with anorexia may become dry, yellowed and thin; the hair may become dry and brittle or begin to fall out; the nails may become brittle or the nail beds may seem slightly blue. Bruising may occur easily, and a coat of fine hair may begin to grow over the body.
Fainting
The person with anorexia may faint due to low blood sugar or a heart arrhythmia. She may seem dizzy or fatigued much of the time.
Other Physical Symptoms
The person with anorexia may have low blood pressure, seem cold all the time and be frequently constipated. She may seem weak when called on to perform a task. According to the Mayo Clinic, she may have swelling of her arms and legs as well. Unseen damage to the body may be occurring, such as kidney failure, heart problems, osteoporosis, anemia and dangerous changes in electrolyte balance.
Other Behavioral Symptoms
The person with anorexia may use diet pills, laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to further lower her weight. She may seem depressed and unemotional or irritable much of the time. She may seem to sleep little and withdraw from her usual social situations. Her memory may be bad, and she may have difficulty concentrating on tasks at school or work.
