Anorexia

Definition:
An eating disorder that is characterized by self-starvation. HGD, Chapter 11, pp. 288-289

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may starve themselves or exercise excessively. Anorexia nervosa isn't really about food. It's an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia nervosa, you often equate thinness with self-worth. Chapter 11, p. 321 Related pages "part of eating disorders" Chapter 11 pp. 321-322 Related pages; part of mental disorder Most commn in adolescence, other eating disorders: bulimia nervosa

Analogies:
[Super Models, Eating Disorders ]

Mnemonics:
**A** bsence of menses (amenorrhea) **N** o appetite (but with preoccupation with food) **O** bvious weight loss (15% loss of IBW) **R** educing ideation **E** maciated **X** erostomia (dryness of the mouth) **I** mage (Body Image Disturbance - claims to feel fat even when extremely thin) **A** bnormal hair growth (lanugo or fine downy hair

**A-**menorrhea delayed **N**-o organic factors accounts for weight loss **O**-bviously thin but feels FAT **R**-efusal to maintain normal body weight **E**-pigastric discomfort is common **X**-symptoms (peculiar symptoms) **I**-ntense fears of gaining weight **A**-lways thinking of foods

In the News:
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Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormal eating behavior, severe self-induced weight loss, and psychiatric comorbidities. People with anorexia have an extreme fear of gaining weight, which causes them to try to maintain a weight far less than normal. They will do almost anything to avoid gaining weight, including starving themselves or exercising too much. People with anorexia have a distorted body image -- they think they are fat (even when they are extremely thin) and won't maintain a proper weight. []

Head girl, 17, died weighing just six stone after trying to hide four-year battle with anorexia from her parents. []media type="youtube" key="b2HKzQ_3bXk" width="425" height="350"

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