SIGNS ANDSYMPTOMS OF

ANOREXIANERVOSA

Herrick Lipton

HERRICKLIPTON .COM

Anorexia Nervosa is a life-threatening eating

disorder. It is characterized by self-starvation and

rapid weight loss, as well as an obsession with losing

weight and a fixation on food. It affects both men

and women, although it affects a higher percentage

of women than men. The following are some signs

and symptoms to look out for.

Anorexia Nervosa

Those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa tend to

become preoccupied with weight. They generally

will spend an enormous amount of time looking at

food labels to count calories and fat grams. They

will weight themselves constantly, often several

times a day.

Obsession with Weight

Anorexic behaviors are centered around an intense

fear of weight gain. In order to assuage this fear,

those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa have a food

intake that is not adequate to maintain their weight.

Therefore, a rapid drop in weight over a short

period of time is expected.

Dramatic Weight Loss

The rationale of those suffering from Anorexia

Nervosa is that they need to constantly be burning

off more calories than they take in. Therefore, they

will adopt regimented exercise schedules. These

schedules will persist no matter what, meaning that

those suffering will exercise through illness, injury,

and more.

Exercise Regimen Rigidity

Those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa can be

afraid of losing control over their eating. In order to

remain in control, they may develop food rituals.

This could encompass anything from constantly

separating ingredients to chewing a certain number

of times per bite.

Food Rituals

People with Anorexia Nervosa develop a list of 'fear

foods,' meaning foods or food groups that they avoid

at all costs. For example, many with Anorexia

Nervosa religiously avoid carbohydrates and/or fats.

This is a behavior that can stay with those suffering,

even well into recovery.

Food Group Avoidance

When the body is subjected to intense physical

exercise without adequate food, mood changes.

People become depressed, irritable, and exhausted.

This is why those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

tend to withdraw from family and friends.

Social Withdrawal

Even though a person may be losing a dangerous

amount of weight, if he or she is suffering from an

eating disorder, he or she will more likely than not

continue to criticize. Those suffering from Anorexia

Nervosa tend to call themselves 'fat' even when all

evidence points to the contrary.

Constant Criticism of Appearance

For more information about the signs and

symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa, check out the

National Eating Disorders Association at

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

For More Information