Anorexia Nervosa

People with anorexia are often unable to realistically gauge their body weight.  They will believe and see themselves as being fat when in fact, they are of healthy weight, or often, underweight.

Individuals will often take to a restrictive diet, they may miss meals or avoid what they deem to be ‘bad’ foods (those they believe to be fattening), even though they are very thin and have a low body weight.

People experiencing anorexia are so scared of gaining weight, they will do all sorts of things to minimise the risk.  For example, they often take laxatives,  exercise excessively, or avoid socialising because of a fear of consuming food and drink.

Because of the impact that malnutrition has on the body, women often experience irregular or infrequent periods, and in some cases the menstrual cycle might stop altogether.  This could cause fertility problems, for men as well.  This is because a lack of essential nutrients degrades egg and sperm cell quality.  It may also be more difficult for the body to synthesise essential hormones for reproduction, decreasing fertility.

Because of the intense focus on body weight or shape, and self-perceived ‘flaws’, self-esteem suffers and becomes worse over time.  This creates a vicious cycle of self-loathing, and punishing behaviour, feeding the obsession.  Individuals will also become fixated on anything that relates to nutrition, food, cooking, and calories.

Due to malnutrition, people can develop all kinds of problems.  For example, they might find it hard to tolerate cold weather, develop brittle nails, hair, and skin conditions, including discolouration.  They may become anaemic, or experience joint or teeth problems, suffer with constipation, and overall poor immunity which increases illness.

This happens over many weeks or months and causes lower than average height and weight in those who are under 18.  In adults it results in a low BMI.

Because of the intense focus placed on food restriction and exercise, individuals will create very strict routines.  But this means they cannot socialise because socialising would take them away from their harsh regimen (which means they will normally either be at home, out exercising, and only where they need to be (for example, work).  This also alleviates the pressure of having to eat and drink, if they were to socialise.

Some people will form behaviours that might seem strange to others.  For example they will develop routines and habits like eating in secret, or being very particular about only consuming certain foods and drinks.

People can experience unpleasant emotions, such as low mood, depression, anxiety, irritability, worthlessness or hopelessness, to name just a few.

People with anorexia will often set very high and unattainable standards, attempting perfection.  This results in a very critical relationship with the self because they have effectively set themselves up to fail.  And they will view their inability to attain perfection very harshly.

People will often try to hide weight loss by wearing loose clothing, this also allows them to hide the body they are very self-critical and ashamed of.