Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that occurs primarily among girls and women. It is characterized by a fear of gaining weight, self-starvation, and a distorted view of body image. The condition is usually brought on by emotional disorders that lead a person to worry excessively about the appearance of his or her body. There are generally two types of anorexia: one is characterized by strict dieting and exercising; the other type includes binging and purging. Binging is the act of eating abnormally large amounts of food in a short period of time.

Anorexia nervosa is sell imposed starvation and it may be occur from  distorted body image. If you have anorexic patient, then you will be preoccupied with her body size, that describes her sell as fat, and it  expresses dissatisfaction with a particular aspect of her physical appearance. In which patient’s weight loss is associated with a loss of appetite. Usually, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may occur simultaneously.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and becoming fat. Because of this fear, the affected individual starves herself or himself, and the person’s weight falls to about 85% (or less) of the normal weight for age and height.

Causes of Anorexia nervosa

The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is not known. Traumatic events like rape as well as stressful things like starting a new job, can lead to the onset of anorexia. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing anorexia. Eating disorders also tend to run in families, with female relatives most often affected. A girl has a 10 to 20 times higher risk of developing anorexia nervosa, for instance, if she has a sibling with the disease. Behavioral and environmental influences may also play a role. Stressful events are likely to increase the risk of eating disorders as well.

Genetic and Biological Factors

Anorexia nervosa seems to run in some families. Women whose mothers or sisters have the disorder are more likely to develop the condition than those who do not have relatives with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms

With anorexia nervosa, you have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat despite the fact that you may be underweight. You may use one or more of the following methods to lose weight.

Undereating
Excessive exercise
Vomiting

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

Treatment can be conducted on an outpatient basis unless the weight loss is severe and accompanied by marked physical symptoms, dizziness and weakness and/or electrolyte and vitamin disturbances. Hospital admission may then be unavoidable and may need to be on a medical ward initially. Rarely the patient’s weight loss may be so severe as to be life-threatening.

Psychotherapy (counselling) is frequently used in the treatment of anorexia. Psychotherapy helps you to identify the feelings and fears that caused you to stop eating, and helps you develop a healthier attitude towards food and your body. A course of psychotherapy usually lasts six months, but if you need a more long-term therapy, motivational enhancement therapy is an option. This also aims to change your attitude towards food into a more healthy and positive one.



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