Symptoms Effects?
What are the symptoms and effects of Anorexia Nevosa?
I think I have it
Answers:
How is anorexia diagnosed?
Anorexia nervosa is a complicated disorder to diagnose. Individuals with anorexia often attempt to hide the disorder. Denial and secrecy frequently accompany other symptoms. It is unusual for an individual with anorexia to seek professional help because the individual typically does not accept that she or he has a problem (denial). The actual diagnosis is not made until there are other medical complications. The individual is often brought to the attention of a professional by family members only after a marked weight loss has occurred. When anorexics finally come to the attention of the health professional, they often lack insight into their problem despite being severely malnourished and may be unreliable in terms of providing accurate information. Therefore, it is often necessary to obtain information from parents or other family members in order to evaluate the degree of weight loss and extent of the disorder.
The actual criteria for anorexia nervosa are found in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).
There are four basic criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa that are characteristic:
The refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height.
Body weight less than 85% of the expected weight is considered minimal.
An intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though the person is underweight.
Self-perception that is grossly distorted and weight loss that is not acknowledged.
In women who have already begun their menstrual cycle, at least three consecutive periods are missed (amenorrhea), or menstrual periods occur only after a hormone is administered.
The DSM-IV further identifies two subtypes of anorexia nervosa. In the binge eating/purging type, the individual regularly engages in binge eating or purging behavior which involves self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas during the current episode of anorexia. In the restricting type, the individual severely restricts food intake, but does not engage in the behaviors seen in the binge eating type.
What are anorexia symptoms and signs (psychological and behavioral)?
Anorexia can have dangerous psychological and behavioral effects on all aspects of an individual's life, and can affect other family members as well.
The individual can become seriously underweight, which can lead to depression and social withdrawal.
The individual can become irritable and easily upset, and have difficulty interacting with others.
Sleep can become disrupted and lead to fatigue during the day.
Attention and concentration can decrease.
Most individuals with anorexia become obsessed with food and thoughts of food. They think about it constantly and become compulsive about eating rituals. They may collect recipes, cut their food into tiny pieces, prepare elaborate calorie-laden meals for other people, or hoard food.
Additionally, they may exhibit other obsessions and/or compulsions related to food, weight, or body shape that meet the diagnostic criteria for an obsessive compulsive disorder.
Generally, individuals with anorexia are compliant. Sometimes, they are overly compliant, to the extent that they lack adequate self-perception.
They are eager to please and strive for perfection. They usually do well in school and may often overextend themselves in a variety of activities. The families of anorexics often appear to be "perfect."
Physical appearances are important to them. Performance in other areas is stressed as well, and they are often high achievers. While control and perfection are critical issues for individuals with anorexia, aspects other than their eating habits are often found to be out of control as well.
Many have, or have had at some point in their lives, addictions to alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Compulsions involving sex, exercising, housework, and shopping are not uncommon. In particular, people with anorexia often exercise compulsively to speed the weight loss process.
All of these features can negatively affect one's daily activities. Diminished interest in previously preferred activities can result. Some individuals also have symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria for a major depressive disorder.
What are anorexia symptoms and signs (physical)?
Most of the medical complications of anorexia nervosa result from starvation. Few organs are spared the progressive deterioration brought about by anorexia.
Heart and circulatory system: Although not life-threatening, abnormally slow heart action (bradycardia) and unusually low blood pressure (hypotension) are frequent manifestations of starvation and are commonly associated with anorexia. Of greater significance are disturbances in the heart rate (arrhythmia). A reduction in the work capacity of the heart is associated with severe weight loss and starvation.
Gastrointestinal complications are also associated with anorexia. Constipation and abdominal pain are the most common symptoms. The rate at which food is absorbed into the body is slowed down. Starvation and overuse of laxatives can seriously disrupt the body's normal functions involved in the elimination process.
While liver function is generally found to be normal, there is evidence of enzyme changes and overall damage to the liver.
The glandular (endocrine) system in the body is profoundly affected by anorexia. The complex physical and chemical processes involved in the maintenance of life can be disrupted, with serious consequences. Disturbances in the menstrual cycle are frequent and can affect not only fertility but also bone density growth, which is very important to a woman's health as she ages. Hormonal imbalances are found in men with anorexia as well. Continual restrictive eating can trick the thyroid into thinking that the body is starving, causing it to slow down in an attempt to preserve calories.
Kidney (renal) function may appear normal. However, there are significant changes in kidney function in many people with anorexia, resulting in potassium deficiency, increased urination, or decreased urination.
Anorexics who use a large quantity of laxatives or who frequently vomit are at great risk for electrolyte imbalance, which can have life-threatening consequences.
Anemia is frequently found in anorexic patients. Suppressed immunity and a high risk for infection are suspected, but not clinically proven.
Physical symptoms, other than the obvious loss of weight, can be seen. Anorexia can cause dry, flaky skin that takes on a yellow tinge. Fine, downy hair grows on the face, back, arms, and legs. Despite this new hair growth, loss of hair on the head is not uncommon. Nails can become brittle. Frequent vomiting can erode dental enamel and eventually lead to tooth loss.
HOPE THIS HELPS GOOD LUCK :)
Well the Symptons would contain LARGELY that one would be obsessed with theigh weight. Their weight and how fat, and big they think they look triggers their mind all day. Looking in the mirror they see a huge person, even though many people tell them they're thin and skinny.
Infact, the disease if so powerful and mind swallowing, the effects become so extreme that one would start to vomit after or even before a meal, maybe not even eat for a few days or much on a few things. Because of the vomiting and lack of food, when one that is a victim of Anorexia attempts to eat after suffering from it for a while, it becomes more and more difficult to even think or try to eat. Because their stomach will no longer hold the food, and the body has been so used to rejecting forefully, that the body starts to automatically reject the food itself, which leads to many problems. All mentally, emotionally and physically.
So, really if you think you have it, PLEASE get help; it's got to be aawful to think you're fat, and be so unhappy and depressed all the time, when you're really not.
All the luck to you!
xx
Yes, I would say you do have it. The symptoms include fear of eating, dizziness, loss of period, and malnutrition, which can result in loss of nutrients such as iron. I would tell your doctor about this.
Work through it, get a good doctor, and rely on the people who love you. I've had many friends who have overcome eating disorders.
Best Wishes
Mikey
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