Anorexia
Note: Throughout this information, we use "she" when
referring to a person with anorexia. However, anorexia is becoming
increasingly prevalent among males. This information on anorexia
is also applicable to men.
Anorexia is very serious and has
an impact on both physical and mental health. Left untreated, anorexia
can be fatal. People develop anorexia as a way of dealing with the
conflicts, pressures, and stresses of their lives. Anorexia may
be used as a way to express control when the rest of one's life
seems out of control.
What is Anorexia?
Anorexia is self-imposed starvation. Anorexia is a serious, life-threatening
disorder which usually stems from underlying emotional causes. Although
people with anorexia are obsessed with food, they continually deny
their hunger. Women with anorexia often also limit or restrict other
parts of their lives besides food, including relationships, social
activities, or pleasure. Anorexia can cause severe medical problems
and even lead to death.
Anorexia Warning Signs
There are many warning signs which indicate that someone may be
suffering from anorexia. A person with anorexia may exhibit one,
all, or any combination of these warning signs. Becoming aware of
these warning signs is the first step in helping someone suffering
from anorexia. When you help someone with anorexia, you may end
up saving her life.
Common warning signs of anorexia:
- A person suffering from anorexia is thin and keeps getting thinner.
A person with anorexia may end up losing 15% or more of her ideal
body weight.
- A person with anorexia continues to diet or restrict foods even
though she is not overweight.
- Anorexia creates a distorted body image—a person with anorexia
feels fat even when she is thin or underweight.
- A person with anorexia is preoccupied with food, calories, nutrition,
or cooking.
- A person suffering from anorexia will deny that she is hungry.
- A person with anorexia will tend to exercise obsessively.
- Anorexia may cause a person to complain about feeling bloated
or nauseated even when she eats normal—or less than normal—amounts
of food.
- A person with anorexia may weighs herself with abnormal frequency.
- Loss of hair or thinning hair may indicate anorexia.
- A person suffering from anorexia may feel cold even though the
temperature is normal or only slightly cool.
- A person with anorexia may stop menstruating.
How can I help someone with anorexia?
You may know someone suffering from anorexia. You may suspect that
someone you know has anorexia but are not certain. You may feel
that you are beginning to exhibit some warning signs for anorexia.
What should you do?
If you feel that you or someone you know may be suffering from
anorexia, it is important to seek professional counseling as quickly
as possible. If untreated, anorexia will become part of a destructive
cycle which can continue for years and may eventually lead to death.
Talking to an anorexia treatment professional is the first step toward
successful recovery. For more information on anorexia treatment options
in your area, please call The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW.
Confidentiality is strictly observed and most insurance plans are
accepted.
Anorexia Resources
The Renfrew Center offers an array of resources concerning anorexia
and other eating disorders including
bulimia and binge eating disorder. For a list of anorexia resources, including books,
magazines, and films on anorexia and other eating disorders, click
here.
This information is provided by The
Renfrew Center Foundation to provide helpful information regarding
anorexia. The Renfrew Center Foundation is dedicated to supporting
research, education, and advocacy in the field of anorexia treatment
and research. To receive a copy of this information in a printed
brochure, please call 1-800-RENFREW.
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