How Does Anorexia Nervosa Look Like?

Anorexia Nervosa is a mental illness related to physical body image and is classified as an eating disorder.

There are two different eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is more common among girls and women, however more and more, maybe due to social pressures, boys and men are also developing the disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa is a mental disorder because it is not only about food but it is about coping with emotional problems

AN is characterized by:

• An abnormal low body weight
• An intense fear of gaining weight
• A distorted perception of body image

There is two types of Anorexia Nervosa:

• A restriction type: food restriction
• A binge-eating/purging type: regularly binge eat followed by abusing laxatives and/or self-inducing vomiting

Anorexia Nervosa induces loss of menstrual periods in post-pubertal girls

Beside the physical symptoms related to low body weight, malnutrition and dehydration (dizziness, constipation, low blood pressure, fatigue, insomnia, etc.), we find a number of emotional and behavioral symptoms. Among them:

• Refusing to eat in public, in particular at school
• Skipping meals
• Frequent checking in the mirror
• Complaining of being fat
• Exercising excessively
• Lack of emotion
• Social withdrawal: avoid class or other school activities
• Irritability
• Insomnia

Anorexia Nervosa is commonly associated to other mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, substance misuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-harm, suicidal thoughts/attempts

LAMSA’s note: Talk about any emotional issue you can be struggling with. Don’t forget to check on a friend and to be supportive. Talk to your counselor and ask for help.