Anorexia means loss of hunger. Anorexia Nervosa is a psychiatric illness characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Anorexics have an intense fear of weight gain, and their preoccupation with food and weight often masks other psychological problems. Anorexics have a distorted perception of their body size and shape, and refuse to maintain a healthy body weight. One out of every 100 adolescent girls will develop anorexia.
How Do I Identity Anorexia?
*dramatic weight loss
*preoccupation with weight and food
*refusal to eat certain foods
*comments about feeling "fat" or overweight despite weight loss
*denial of hunger
*loss of monthly periods
*development of food rituals (ex. breaking food into small pieces, eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on plate)
*consistant excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
*excessive, rigid exercise regimen
*withdrawel from usual friends and activities
*weariness, lethargy
*mild depression, irratibility
*dry, thin, lackluster hair
*fine body hair (a.k.a. lanugo)
*cold hands and feet
* ashen or dry skin
*chipping, weak, brittle nails
*bleeding gums
*constipation
*fainting spells
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