Anorexia Nervosa

     Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders, and according to the staff at the American Psychological Association "people with anorexia nervosa have a distorted body image that causes them to see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously thin, they often refuse to eat, exercise compulsively, developing unusual habits such as refusing to eat in front of others, they lose large amounts of weight and may even starve to death." It is apparent that people that suffer from this disease are not just trying to lose weight, they are suffering from multiple factors that make up the entirety of the disorder. Anorexia is unique from other disorders and according to the expert medical staff at Mayo Clinic, anorexia nervosa is "characterized by abnormally low weight, intense fear of gaining weight and distorted perception of body weight."

     Many people, who are not Doctors or Psychologist, might find themselves in a situation where they need to know the warning signs of  anorexia to help a loved one, or even themselves. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) proposes that warning signs of the disorder include, but are not limited to "preoccupation with food, calories, fat grams, dieting, restrictions against entire food groups, frequent comments about feeling fat despite weight loss, anxiety about weight gain, denial of hunger and the development of food rituals."There are many negative symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa which may include muscle loss and weakness, dehydration, heart and blood pressure problems, fainting, malnutrition, mental health problems organ failure and even osteoporosis. It is clear the anorexia is a serious disorder, but that doesn't mean that there is no hope for the people that have to suffer from this disease.

    As someone who recovered from this disease, I understand what its like to live a day in the life of the disorder. Someone with anorexia may start their day on the scale, writing down their weight and possibly taking body measurements to make sure that your size has not increased. Then, they may plan out their allowed calories for the day, most likely it is a fraction of what someone their height and age needs to eat to maintain their weight. They may continue the rest of the day trying to achieve their daily tasks, just like anyone else, such as school or work, or they may be unable to function in normal activities due to the severity of their disorder, weighing themselves multiple times or exercising multiple times throughout the day is not uncommon. Hopefully, the person suffering anorexia will have to opportunity to seek treatment, it may be a personal decision or a decision urged by friends or family. There are many ways to get treatment and it is common that there will be a doctor, psychologist and dietitian working with the patient. Being a anorexia sufferer is not a death sentence, many people fully recover from anorexia, and with information on the disease out now than ever before, people are able to access on accurate information on the disorder and are able to helps loved one's early on.

Article and video on the danger of Pro anorexia websites

                                                       More information on recovery
                                the connection between eating disorders and substance abuse

Works Cited:

"Anorexia Nervosa." National Eating Disorders. 4girlsfoundation, Center for Discovery, Eating Recovery Center, Rosewood, McCallum Place, n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anorexia Nervosa." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.