Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 15% below the persons normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating.
One famous fatality of anorexia is Karen Carpenter of the Carpenters fame, who died on February 4, 1983 at the age of 32. Like Karen, anorexics have an intense fear of becoming fat. Their dieting habits develop from this fear. Lady Diana also had a mild case of bulimia (a disease similar to anorexia), although it was not known if she was still suffering from the malady at the time of her tragic death.
Anorexia mainly affects adolescent girls. People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even after they become extremely thin, are very ill or near death. Often they will develop strange eating habits such as refusing to eat in front of other people. Sometimes the individuals will prepare big meals for others while refusing to eat any of it.
The disorder is thought to be most common among whites, people of higher socioeconomic classes, and people involved in activities where thinness is especially looked upon, such as dancing, theater, and distance running.
If you have a family member with an eating disorder like anorexia, they need a lot of support. Suggest that your family member see an eating disorder expert. Be prepared for denial, resistance, and even anger. A doctor and/or a counselor can help them battle their eating disorder.
What are the symptoms of anorexia? There are many symptoms for anorexia, some individuals may not experience all of they symptoms. The symptoms include: Body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).
Some other symptoms are:
Loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods (in women).
Not wanting or refusing to eat in public.
Other symptoms are: anxiety, weakness, brittle skin, shortness of breath, obsession with calorie counting
The good news is people can recover from anorexia, which is to say that it’s not an incurable disease. The bad news is one percent of teenage girls in the U.S. develop anorexia nervosa and up to 10% of those are likely to die.
Treatment for anorexia nervosa should include both a mental health professional as well as a primary health care physician. It is treatable if the patient recognizes the emotional disturbance, wants help and cooperates in treatment. Without treatment, this can cause permanent disability and death. Persons with anorexia nervosa have a high rate of attempted suicide due to low self esteem.
Possible complications of anorexia are:
Chronic anorexia nervosa caused by patients resistance to treatment
Electrolyte disturbances or irregular heartbeat. These may be life-threatening
Osteoporosis
Suicide
The goal of treatment is for the patient to establish healthy eating patterns to help regain normal weight. The patient can accomplish this with behavior-modification training supervised by qualified professionals. Treatment can usually be done on an outpatient basis. Psychotherapy or counseling is not only needed for the patient but for the family as well. Hospitalization will also be needed during crises for intravenous or tube feeding to correct electrolyte imbalance, or if the patient is suicidal. Therapy may continue over several years. Relapses are common, especially when stressful situations occur.
Hosea Delbar is the owner of
anorexia http://www.fightanorexia.com