Anorexia nervosa - an eating disorder

Overview

Anorexia is also known as anorexia nervosa which is a life-threatening psychiatrist condition which is often characterized by an abnormal body weight or distorted perception of weight. With a right treatment at right time, the recovery is possible. Generally this condition occurs at teenage and is the third most chronic illness in teens. In few cases it can begin in the preteen phase also.

Generally people suffering from anorexia nervosa restrict themselves from eating the amount of food that they should eat. Also people with this disorder can have extremely low weight and they may still try to lose weight by exercising excessively, vomiting after eating, by misusing diet acids or laxatives. No matter how that person has lost the weight still they fear of gaining weight and this forces them to continue these habits. They have an intense fear of losing weight and they see themselves as a fat person even when they are not.

Anorexia disorder can be very difficult to cope-up with and can take over your life like other eating disorders. This disorder can lead the person to weigh at least 15% less than the normal weight since they starve themselves.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa

Symptoms may include:-

• Inability to maintain a normal weight
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Yellowish skin or blotchy and soft, fine hairs
• Falling out or thinning of hair
• More than three cycles without menstruation
• Low blood pressure

Other behaviours that can be seen in anorexia patients:-

• Hunger denial
• Depressed mood
• Excessive exercise
• Use of diuretics, laxatives, or diet pills in excessive
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Cutting food into small pieces or pushing food around the plate instead of eating it
• Exercising excessively
• Skipping meals
• Frequently checking out mirror
• Covering up in layers of clothing
• Complaining about being fat
• Eating only certain foods those who are very low in calories and fats

Causes of anorexia nervosa

The exact causes of anorexia nervosa is still unknown but it has been seen as combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

• Biological factor: There might be an effect of genes and hormones in the development of anorexia nervosa. Some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity etc. which all are the traits of anorexia disorder.
• Psychological factor: People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are more inclined toward maintain a strict diet and exercise routine that is much similar to anorexia sufferer’s habits. These kind of people may have an extreme drive for perfectionism which always makes them to feel insecure.
• Environmental: The modern western culture emphasizes thinness as well as media outlets like magazines and television largely influence young people, the desire to be thin. Especially it has been seen in young girls that they maintain a strict diet and exercise excessively to maintain a proper body image because of the unrealistic body image shown in media outlets.

Risk factors of anorexia

This is more common in girls and women, boys and men can also have this disorder. It is much more common in teenagers which can be due to peer pressure or society. This disorder is very rare after 40 years of age, says 3MEDS, best online pharmacy store in Delhi.

Here are certain risk factors:-

• Genetics: The person whose relatives had anorexia at any point of time then that is person is at more risk of developing anorexia. Also change in certain genes can make a person more susceptible toward anorexia nervosa disorder.
• Dieting and starvation: Dieting is a healthy option until and unless it becomes an obsession. People with anorexia disorder can develop this habit as obsession and as a result they end up starving themselves.
• Transitions: Any transition in usual life which is emotional and stressful can increase the risk of anorexia and this transition may include breakup, death of a loved one, illness or economical problem.

Treatment of anorexia

• Medical: Medications are given first priority in this disorder. Antidepressants are prescribed to the patient with anxiety and depression due to anorexia. This may help to relieve the symptoms. Buy prescribed drugs online at 3MEDS and get genuine products at genuine price.
• Therapy: Often therapy is given to the sufferer as well as family member to help them to overcome the anorexia nervosa disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy is often used to treat anorexia disorder. This therapy also involves your track of healthy eating and lifestyle which helps you to cope-up with the strong emotions and build healthy self-esteems.
• Hospitalization: When the case becomes severe then your health care provider may hospitalize you and will provide you proper treatment.

Outlook

Only the treatment doesn’t matter here because developing this disorder is mostly in your hand. One should not feel distress over the unrealistic body images of virtual world. Follow the diet and exercise but in an appropriate amount. Don’t do anything excessively and keep the image of yourself positive in your mind. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, don’t try to imitate others by starving yourself. Be positive be healthy. Hope this helps you.