Anorexia is characterized by
a significant weight loss resulting from excessive dieting. Most
women and an increasing number of men are motivated by the strong
desire to be thin and a fear of becoming obese. Anorexics consider
themselves to be fat, no matter what their actual weight is. Often
anorexics do not recognize they are underweight and may still "feel
fat" at 80 lbs. Anorexics close to death will show you on their
bodies where they feel they need to lose weight. In their attempts
to become even thinner, the anorexic will avoid food and taking
in calories at all costs, which can result in death. An estimated
10 to 20% will eventually die from complications related to it.
Anorexics usually strive for perfection. They
set very high standards for themselves and feel they always have
to prove their competence. They usually always put the needs of
others ahead of their own needs. A person with anorexia may also
feel the only control they have in their lives is in the area of
food and weight. If they can't control what is happening around
them, they can control their weight. Each morning the number on
the scale will determine whether or not they have succeeded or failed
in their goal for thinness. They feel powerful and in control when
they can make themselves lose weight. Sometimes focusing on calories
and losing weight is their way of blocking out feelings and emotions.
For them, it's easier to diet then it is to deal with their problems
directly.
Anorexics usually have low self-esteem and
sometimes feel they don't deserve to eat. The anorexics usually
deny that anything is wrong. Hunger is strongly denied. They usually
resist any attempts to help them because the idea of therapy is
seen only as a way to force them to eat. Once they admit they have
a problem and are willing to seek help, they can be treated effectively
through a combination of psychological, nutritional and medical
care.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Noticeable weight loss
- Becoming withdrawn
- Excessive exercise
- Fatigue
- Always being cold
- Muscle weakness
- Obsession with food, calories, recipes
- Excuses for not eating meals (ie. ate earlier, not feeling well)
- Unusual eating habits (ie. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking
at food)
Noticeable discomfort around food
- Complaining of being "too fat", even when thin
- Cooking for others, but not eating themselves
- Restricting food choices to only diet foods
- Guilt or shame about eating
- Depression, irritability, mood swings
- Evidence of vomiting, laxative abuse, diet pills or diuretics
to control weight
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)
- Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss
- Frequently checking weight on scale
- Fainting spells and dizziness
- Difficulty eating in public
- Very secretive about eating patterns
- Pale complexion (almost a pasty look)
- Headaches
- Perfectionistic attitude
- Feelings of self worth determined by what is or is not eaten
- No known physical illness that would explain weight loss
- Physical/Medical Complications
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)
- Skin problems
- Dizziness and headaches
- Dehydration
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Cold hands and feet
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Hair loss
- Stomach pains
- Decreased metabolic rate
- Edema (water retention)
- Lanugo(fine downy hair)
- Loss of bone mass
- Kidney and liver damage
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Osteoporosis
- Insomnia
- Anemias
- Infertility
- Depression
- Cathartic colon(caused from laxative abuse)
- Low potassium (most common cause of nocturnal cardiac arrest)
- Cardiac arrest and death
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