Anorexia nervosa is one of the eating disorders, and the main characteristic in both women and men with anorexia is the refusal of food. Symptoms, images, treatments, consequences, and pictures of anorexia nervosa are discussed in detail in this informative article. Some of you may be as shocked as we are to know that approximately 500 people per month search on Google for methods of self-induced vomiting or the diet followed by anorexic women in an attempt to imitate them. We need to do something to better convey the consequences of a severe eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. Although anorexia nervosa is classified as an eating disorder, we want to inform you from now on that it is a psychiatric problem in every respect. In fact, anorexia nervosa is treated with psychology—no medications or miraculous diets to make patients gain weight. Lastly, if you are sensitive to images of anorexia nervosa, we advise against delving into the topic with this article, which contains pictures of severely anorexic women that may disturb your sensibilities.
Nervous Anorexia
Nervous anorexia is a disorder characterized by a marked reduction or absence of appetite. The term “anorexia” derives from Greek, where “an-” means “privative” and “órexis” means “appetite.” The adjective “nervosa” indicates the functional nature of the disorder, distinguishing it from forms of loss of appetite caused by other diseases. This concept was introduced by William Gull in 1873.
Interestingly, individuals affected by nervous anorexia rarely complain of a loss of appetite. In fact, the desire for food increases with the reduction of calories consumed and the resulting weight loss. Paradoxically, these patients derive a sort of satisfaction from controlling their desire to eat, which fuels the disorder itself.
Nervous anorexia represents a complex problem and can have serious consequences on the physical and mental health of those affected. It is important to consider both the psychological and physical aspects of the disorder in order to fully understand its scope.
What is Nervous Anorexia
What is it? Nervous anorexia is the eating disorder of a psychologically fragile person who refuses to nourish themselves for various reasons. Nervous anorexia, along with nervous bulimia, is among the most well-known and frequent manifestations of eating disorders.
The term anorexia indicates conditions of voluntary food restriction, which is why it is classified in psychiatry with the acronym EDB: Eating Disorder Behavior. Nervous anorexia primarily affects women, but recently there has been a rise in cases among male patients as well.
It manifests with specific symptoms, typically characterized by food restriction, a strong fear of gaining weight, and abnormalities in perceiving one’s own weight. The treatment for voluntary food restriction is multidisciplinary.
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
The causes of anorexia nervosa can be attributed to various factors, although they are not yet fully understood. Research has identified several risk factors, which can be divided into three main categories:
- Genetic vulnerability: Anorexia nervosa can be influenced by genetic factors. Studies have shown that there is a familial predisposition to anorexia nervosa, meaning that individuals with close relatives affected by this illness have a higher risk of developing it. However, it is not purely a genetic condition; the interaction between genetics and the environment plays a significant role.
- Environmental factors and adverse life events: The environment in which a person lives can contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa. Stressful events such as trauma, abuse, or significant losses can trigger the disorder. Additionally, society and the media can influence body image and promote unrealistic beauty standards, which can fuel the desire to achieve extreme thinness.
- Psychological characteristics: Individual psychological characteristics can play a key role in the onset of anorexia nervosa. For example, individuals with low self-esteem, perfectionism, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies may be more susceptible to developing the disorder. Furthermore, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in managing emotions can contribute to the risk of developing anorexia nervosa.
It is important to emphasize that anorexia nervosa is a complex and multifactorial condition, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Understanding these causes can help in the prevention and treatment of anorexia nervosa, fostering a more comprehensive and effective approach to helping those affected by it.
Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa
The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa has undergone changes with the introduction of the DSM-5, which has modified some diagnostic criteria. For example, amenorrhea is no longer considered a criterion for diagnosing anorexia.
The diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa include the following elements:
- Reduction in daily caloric intake below what is necessary, resulting in significantly low body weight.
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, or the presence of persistent behaviors that hinder weight gain, even when it is already significantly low.
- Disturbance in body image, with excessive importance placed on weight and body shape in self-evaluation, or a persistent lack of awareness of the severity of underweight.
Furthermore, the DSM-5 distinguishes two types of anorexia nervosa:
- Restrictive type anorexia: In this subtype, there are no binge-eating episodes or compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic use in the past 3 months. Weight loss occurs primarily through fasting or excessive exercise.
- Binge/purge type anorexia: In this subtype, there are binge-eating episodes or compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic use in the past 3 months.
Development of Anorexia Nervosa
The most noticeable symptom at the onset of anorexia is significant weight loss. Often, the onset is linked to the beginning of a diet, and the initial weight loss may not raise concerns, even among family members.
In the initial phase of anorexia, the affected person may experience a state of euphoria, a feeling of well-being and omnipotence known as the “honeymoon phase.” The illness seems to represent the solution to all problems, and the sense of energy and power that arises from it often complicates the prognosis as the person denies any psychological distress.
Progression of the disorder
Over time, weight loss becomes increasingly significant, and the symptoms of anorexia become more debilitating, deeply impacting the person’s life. Not only is the individual’s personal psychological sphere compromised, but their social, relational, and behavioral spheres are as well. Additionally, pathological eating behaviors begin to have important consequences on the physical, metabolic, and nutritional levels.
As the disorder worsens, control over eating becomes increasingly rigid, and the intake of calories is further reduced. Thoughts become increasingly focused on few and stereotypical themes, such as consumed calories and concerns related to body image.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa requires evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. Only an experienced professional can make an accurate diagnosis, taking into account specific criteria and individual characteristics of the patient.
If you believe you have symptoms related to anorexia nervosa or know someone who might be suffering from it, it is crucial to seek help and professional support as soon as possible. Proper care and treatment can make a difference in overcoming this illness and restoring a healthy relationship with food and one’s body.
Remember that anorexia nervosa is a complex and serious condition, but it is possible to recover and live a fulfilling life with the help of a team of qualified professionals, including psychologists, nutritionists, and potentially doctors.
Understanding the mental disorders of anorexia nervosa: how to recognize symptoms and take timely action
The main symptoms of anorexia nervosa add to the symptoms of malnutrition. Typically, they manifest in the anorexic individual as:
- Fear of gaining weight
- Voluntary food restriction
- Excessive physical exercise
- Disturbances in the relationship with one’s body
- Low self-esteem
- Rigid thinking
- Emotional and social changes
- Cognitive deficits
- Physical symptoms of malnutrition
Among the most frequent emotional and social changes, we find symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability and anger, mood swings, and as a consequence, social isolation. In addition to these symptoms of anorexia nervosa, there are also cognitive changes such as decreased abstract thinking capacity and diminished concentration that stiffens thinking.
The dangerous physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa: how to recognize and prevent them
The most common physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa are attributable to the effects of malnutrition:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Slowed heart rate, bradycardia
- Amenorrhea, i.e., absence of menstrual cycle
- Osteopenia or osteoporosis
- Delays or impairment in growth
- Fragile and thin skin and its appendages
- Hematological problems such as anemia, leukopenia, etc.
- Muscle weakness with reduced lean mass
- Kidney problems
- Alterations in levels of sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus
- Various gastrointestinal problems: digestive difficulties, constipation, delayed gastric emptying, etc.
- Increased body hair growth, i.e., hirsutism
- Feeling cold
- Decreased body temperature
- Fragile nails
- Various hormonal dysfunctions: hypothyroidism, reduced functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, etc.
Discovering how anorexia manifests: physical and mental signs not to underestimate
So, how does anorexia nervosa manifest itself? Anorexia, which is a serious psychiatric disorder involving an eating disorder, manifests itself through rigid behaviors and uncontrollable dietary restrictions.
Weight loss is considered an achievement, but the perception of being “too fat” leads to increasingly low self-esteem. In the case of anorexia, among the first signs, there is a habit of constantly weighing oneself, measuring with a tape measure, and checking perceived “fat” body parts in the mirror.
Frequent body checks, excessive evaluation of weight, body shape, and their control are the primary methods of self-evaluation and self-worth assessment. At this point, anorexia nervosa takes control of the individual’s behavior, who willingly becomes trapped in an increasingly uncomfortable and dangerous condition for their health.
Healthy weight gain, which is one of the methods to recover from anorexia, is experienced by anorexic women or men as an unacceptable loss of control, generating anxiety.
Overcoming anorexia nervosa: effective treatments for complete healing
Considering the numerous hardships faced by individuals affected by this psychophysical ailment, as well as those around them, it is necessary to initiate treatments for anorexia.
The treatment of anorexia should preferably be conducted on an outpatient basis, but the patient must meet certain criteria. Anorexic women or men should not have a BMI below 15, nor should they have medical complications. Additionally, they must be motivated, and their living environment should be supportive.
Otherwise, specialized hospital intervention may be necessary. What if they refuse? The topic of Compulsory Health Treatment (TSO) is being discussed in Parliament for severe cases requiring urgent specialized medical assistance.
Nevertheless, all proven-effective treatments for anorexia nervosa are of a psychological nature. The physician adopts specific strategies and tools aimed at changing problematic behaviors and reducing the patient’s absolute need for thinness.
Anorexia nervosa cannot be cured or treated with medication; the results of such treatments are scarce. However, antidepressant medications are useful for patients who, despite reaching their ideal weight, still struggle with depression. Only in rare cases of difficult patients with deeper issues are antipsychotics prescribed in addition to psychological care.
Becoming anorexic: Consequences and Images
Being thin due to stress is one thing, but becoming anorexic is an entirely different story, with extremely detrimental consequences for one’s health. Some girls may be curious enough to ask, “How to become anorexic“, but instead of providing an answer, we ask them to consider the visible consequences of anorexia nervosa in these images of anorexic women:
These images of anorexic women, sick and visibly skeletal, are a clear manifestation of the terrible and relentless consequences of anorexia nervosa. The same applies to anorexic men, as this eating disorder can affect anyone for various reasons.
Therefore, do not ask how to become anorexic because it is not healthy. It is a severe and extreme psychiatric disorder that should not be imitated or taken as an example. Becoming anorexic does not make you the best version of yourself; instead, it renders women and men incapable of thinking about themselves and unable to understand or experience emotions, while making them very ill.
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The information provided in the Diet and Italian Recipes articles is for INFORMATION ONLY and does not intend to replace the opinion of professional figures such as a doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian, whose intervention is necessary for the prescription and composition of personalized dietary therapies.
