Signs You May Have Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by an abnormally low body weight, a profound fear of gaining weight, and a skewed perception of weight. People with anorexia place a high priority on maintaining their weight and shape, and they will go to great lengths to achieve it, even if it means disrupting their lives.
People with anorexia frequently severely restrict their food intake to avoid weight gain or to maintain their weight loss. They may restrict their calorie intake by vomiting after meals or abusing laxatives, diet aids, diuretics, and enemas. They might also try to shed weight by over-exercising. No matter how much weight is dropped, the person is still afraid of gaining it again.
Below are a few signs that may show you that you have Anorexia, so if you feel it necessary, please visit a doctor so that you can take care of your body in a healthy, and safe way.
Physical Symptoms
Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:
- Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gains
- Thin appearance
- Abnormal blood counts
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Dizziness or fainting
- Bluish discolouration of the fingers
- Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
- Soft, downy hair covering the body
- Absence of menstruation
- Constipation and abdominal pain
- Dry or yellowish skin
- Intolerance of cold
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Low blood pressure
- Dehydration
- Swelling of arms or legs
- Eroded teeth and calluses on the knuckles from induced vomiting
Emotional Symptoms
Behavioral symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose weight by:
- Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting
- Exercising excessively
- Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of food, which may include the use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products
Emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms may include:
- Preoccupation with food, which sometimes includes cooking elaborate meals for others but not eating them
- Frequently skipping meals or refusing to eat
- Denial of hunger or making excuses for not eating
- Eating only a few certain "safe" foods, usually those low in fat and calories
- Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as spitting food out after chewing
- Not wanting to eat in public
- Lying about how much food has been eaten
- Fear of gaining weight that may include repeated weighing or measuring the body
- Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws
- Complaining about being fat or having parts of the body that are fat
- Covering up in layers of clothing
- Flat mood (lack of emotion)
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability
- Insomnia
Steps to recovery
-Acknowledging the unhealthy relationship with food and that the relentless pursuit of thinness that you may have is detrimental to you
- Talk to someone you trust about your issue. Don't be ashamed about your potential Anorexia
- Avoid the people, places, entertainment, and activities that trigger your obsession with being thin
- Talk to a professional to regain your confidence and build a healthy relationship with your body
- Consider the possibility of an underlying mood disorder like depression and anxiety