WHO reported a global increase in anorexia nervosa during Covid-19. Anorexia treatment for anorexia symptoms includes smart eating and emotional support.

Anorexia Nervosa: Answering Your Questions

Introduction

<p>At the same time that doctors in the United States and France were reporting incidents of anorexia nervosa among their patients, Sir William Withey Gull, a British physician, came up with the term to describe the disorder in 1874<sup><a href="#accordion">[5]</a></sup>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Being diagnosed with anorexia means you weigh at least 15% less than your normal body weight<sup><a href="#accordion">[6]</a></sup>. The disorder becomes dangerous when you lose too much weight, as a result of which health complications arise; in severe cases, even death can occur.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>So, yes, anorexia nervosa is a serious eating and mental health disorder that can easily ruin lives. The silver lining is you can treat it and, more importantly, you can recover from it. Of course, a full recovery is a long process; since it involves a&nbsp; therapy, behavioral modification, and nutritional education all together to not just ensure progress, but to also ensure that there&rsquo;s no relapse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the fact that the disorder is treatable is doing little to prevent it. While the overall incidence rate has remained remarkably steady over the past few decades<sup><a href="#accordion">[1]</a></sup>, the number of cases of anorexia are steadily - and quite alarmingly - increasing among young people (under the age of 15); whether they&rsquo;re due to early onset or early detection, it is still unclear.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Should you be worried?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Especially when modern anorexia nervosa treatment centers provide residential and outpatient treatment programs, many of which are geared specifically toward teenagers. Well, in a nutshell, yes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The primary reason is that most people just cannot see that they are underweight. Especially these days when, triggered by the picture-perfect social-media addicted world, a lot of us suffer from body image disturbance, i.e., we view our own body as unrealistically large and constantly negatively evaluate our physical appearance.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Did you know, that&rsquo;s a key symptom of anorexia nervosa? Where you or your kid frequently concentrate on body parts, trying to get rid of &lsquo;excess&rsquo; weight in a specific area of the body. &lsquo;Trying to get rid of it&rsquo; because let&rsquo;s face it - your attempts will fail; according to scientific evidence, spot reduction is just not possible. But, as anorexics, you won&rsquo;t think that way and you will keep on analyzing different body parts that you think need to be &lsquo;slimmer&rsquo;.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you can identify this trait in yourself or in your child, contact your doctor or an eating disorder specialist immediately. The earlier you begin treatment, the better your chances are at overcoming anorexia nervosa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But, that&rsquo;s not all. Let&#39;s have a look at some commonly asked queries about <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/anorexia-nervosa">anorexia nervosa</a>.</p>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Understanding FAQs about Anorexia Nervosa

<h5 style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px"><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">What Happens to your Body in Anorexia?</span></h5>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Besides the mental pressure, your body is deprived of the necessary energy due to malnutrition. As a result, your body&#39;s normal functioning will slow down, which will further affect your health in various negative ways.</span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">One of the complications of anorexia is your body&#39;s organs will stop working, especially in the later stages. For instance, if your blood test shows elevated levels of liver enzymes, then that&rsquo;s an indication of organ failure. Also, the electrolyte imbalance and fluid loss in the body induced by malnutrition can affect the heart, kidneys, GIT, and brain<sup><a href="#accordion">[7]</a></sup>.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5 style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px"><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Will Anorexia Damage your Brain?</span></h5>

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<p><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Anorexia is a mental health condition characterized by compulsive food restriction. Many anorexics reportedly have cognitive problems as a result of their restricted diet. In severe cases, it does lead to brain damage.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5 style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px"><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Is Anorexia Nervosa an Inherited Disorder?</span></h5>

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<p><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Although it&rsquo;s considered a psychological issue, the eating disorder frequently runs in families, implying that it has a genetic component. Researchers have discovered 2 genes that help determine the risk of having the disease<sup><a href="#accordion">[8]</a></sup>. Furthermore, studies have also shown that if your parents, siblings, or even your child is anorexic, then the risk of you having the disorder is also high - at least, 10 times higher than those who have no family connection whatsoever to the eating disorder<sup><a href="#accordion">[9]</a></sup>.</span><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5 style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px"><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">What is the Normal age of Onset?</span></h5>

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<p><span dir="ltr" lang="EN" style="color:#0e101a">Anorexia nervosa has recently been observed in children as young as 6. However, the normal age of onset is 14-21<sup><a href="#accordion">[10]</a></sup>. Most girls are likely to develop anorexia nervosa when they are around the age of 15<sup><a href="#accordion">[1]</a></sup>. These are critical developmental years; therefore, adolescent anorexia nervosa treatment is necessary in this case. If your anorexic kid is an adolescent, it is usually best to look for a treatment tailored to this age group.&nbsp;</span><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anorexia can affect anyone, but it is much more common in females and girls. It usually occurs in teenage or early adulthood.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>When should you Worry about Anorexia?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>You should be worried if:</p>

<ul>
	<li>You are constantly preoccupied with dieting, food, calories, and weight</li>
	<li>You make a lot of complaints about being &quot;fat&quot;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>You refuse to consume entire food groups, such as carbohydrates<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5><strong>Which Doctor should you see for Anorexia Nervosa?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>In addition to an eating disorder therapist, it is necessary to seek the advice of a psychiatrist.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>What Effects does Anorexia have on your Personality?</strong></h5>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Have you felt an increased level of harm avoidance of late? That is a personality trait characterized by worry, negative thinking, doubt, and shyness. And you&rsquo;ll be experiencing it if you suffer from anorexia.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>How&rsquo;s Amenorrhea Linked to Anorexia Nervosa?&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>If you are restricting your caloric intake through excessive diet or excessive exercise, your body won&rsquo;t be able to obtain the nutrition it needs to function; your hormone levels will drop and your periods will stop. This absence of periods is known as amenorrhea and it will affect you once you lose a certain amount of weight.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Can Anorexic Women Recover and Become Pregnant?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>A complete recovery from anorexia means you will have a better shot at pregnancy. This is because as an anorexic woman, you&rsquo;ll neither menstruate nor ovulate<sup><a href="#accordion">[11]</a></sup>. As a result, it&rsquo;s more difficult to become pregnant at that stage.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Can Anorexia Harm Your Baby during Pregnancy?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>If you do become pregnant while you&rsquo;re still anorexic, both you and your baby will suffer. It&rsquo;s highly probable that you have a premature delivery and your baby has a low birth weight. Moreover, it&rsquo;s a complicated pregnancy because anorexia can lead to a miscarriage or it can require an emergency Caesarean section; as an anorexic mom-to-be, you will also be more vulnerable to postpartum depression<sup><a href="#accordion">[11]</a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>What Effects will Anorexia have on a Male Body?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Anorexia causes a decrease in the male hormone testosterone and vitamin D. Testosterone contributes to the strength of muscles and bones. Low testosterone is directly linked to loss of bone mineral density and anorexic males experience it more than female anorexic patients<sup><a href="#accordion">[7]</a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Does Anorexia Nervosa Trigger Hair Loss?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Hair loss is frequently linked to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. This is because of the eating-related behaviors practiced by individuals with these conditions, such as starvation, self-induced vomiting, decreased food intake, and over-exercising, that cease nutrient intake and/or cause trauma or shock to trigger hair loss.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Does Anorexia Nervosa cause Seizures?&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Seizures do not occur in every case of anorexia, but they are serious side effects that you should not ignore. Even if you do not have epilepsy or another epileptic condition, you may experience seizures due to anorexia.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Is Anorexia a Permanent Disorder?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>You can reverse many temporary effects of anorexia if you and your doctor are able to diagnose and start on its treatment early. However, if it&rsquo;s left untreated for an extended period, anorexia can lead to a variety of long-term health issues, some of which are irreversible.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Can you overcome Anorexia Nervosa?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Although anorexia nervosa is a serious illness that can cause various health issues or even death when left untreated, recovery is possible with the assistance of eating disorder treatment specialists. This is why it&rsquo;s critical to educate yourself and begin your recovery process as soon as possible.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Do You need Hospitalization?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>As an anorexic, you can experience severe, life-threatening weight loss. If your doctor believes that your life is in danger and they have no other choice, they may forcibly hospitalize you for better treatment.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Is Medication Beneficial for You?&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>No medications are approved for anorexia because none of them are effective.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, antidepressants and other psychiatric medications can help you deal with different mental health disorders, for example, depression or anxiety<sup><a href="#accordion">[12]</a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>What&rsquo;s the Prognosis of Anorexia Nervosa?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>According to research, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for females is 15.9 and for males it&rsquo;s 22.4, with older age being a significant predictor of mortality. The mean age at death of an anorexic person is 41.3 years<sup><a href="#accordion">[13]</a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>How Often does Anorexia Lead to Death?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Anorexia can be dangerous to your health to the extent of causing death. Reports vary greatly, but generally the mortality rate ranges from 5-20%. Recent meta-analyses revealed a rate of 5.9%<sup><a href="#accordion"><span style="font-size:10.8333px">[3]</span></a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>How Long does it Take to Recover from Anorexia Nervosa?&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>No two people will be affected by anorexia the exact same way. Therefore, no two anorexia treatments will be the same. However, reportedly it takes a young anorexic patient anywhere between 6 months and 2 years to achieve complete healing<sup><a href="#accordion">[14]</a></sup>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>What is a Reasonable Goal for a Patient Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</h5>

<p>The primary goal of your treatment should be to regain a healthy weight. You will not be able to get better from anorexia unless you return to a healthy weight and learn to consume appropriate nutrition.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

Conclusion

<p>The Netflix film &quot;To the Bone&quot; (2017) is a semi-autobiographical story about a 20-year-old girl struggling with anorexia nervosa and her recovery. It&rsquo;s a good representation of the various behaviors that may be displayed by someone suffering from an eating disorder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you or someone you know is suffering from anorexia, don&rsquo;t sit there assuming that they&rsquo;re aware of their condition and will know when to ask for help. Anorexics often underestimate the severity of their illness and are hesitant to seek treatment. Early involvement schemes, such as education and screening, are critical to prevent persistent malnutrition, long-term health problems, and death.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

Key Points

<ul><li>Low body weight, a fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image can all be symptoms of the potentially fatal eating illness anorexia.</li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Although it can afflict people of many ages, genders, races, and body types, anorexia is most frequently found in young women.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Anorexia can be treated successfully. Early assistance can aid in rehabilitation.</span></li></ul>

[1] van Eeden AE, van Hoeken D, Hoek HW. Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2021;34(6):515.

[2] Silén Y, Sipilä PN, Raevuori A, Mustelin L, Marttunen M, Kaprio J, et al. DSM-5 eating disorders among adolescents and young adults in Finland: A public health concern. Int J Eat Disord. 2020;53(5):790–801.

[3] Neumärker KJ. Mortality and sudden death in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 1997 Apr;21(3):205–12.

[4] Wu H, Van Dyck-Lippens PJ, Santegoeds R, van Kuyck K, Gabriëls L, Lin G, et al. Deep-brain stimulation for anorexia nervosa. World Neurosurg. 2013;80(3–4):S29--e1.

[5] Till C. The quantification of gender: Anorexia nervosa and femininity. Heal Sociol Rev. 2011;20(4):437–49.

[6] Anorexia nervosa:symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment. WebMD.

[7] Mehler PS, Brown C. Anorexia nervosa - medical complications. Journal of eating disorders.

[8] How eating disorders are inherited. Science.

[9] Holland K. Is anorexia genetic? Healthline.

[10] GAfor. A beginner's guide to understanding anorexia nervosa. Resources To Recover.

[11] Anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa | Office on Women's Health.

[12] Anorexia nervosa. Mayo Clinic.

[13] Yager J, Gaudiani JL, Treem J. Eating disorders and palliative care specialists require definitional consensus and clinical guidance regarding terminal anorexia nervosa: Addressing concerns and moving forward. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2022;10(1). doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00659-x

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