Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa refers to loss of appetite due to out-of-control dieting consequential from nervous anxiety. This eating disorder is self-induced and normally begins in effort to be slim found mainly in young women. The intake of food is reduced gradually and the individual continues restrictive eating often to a point close to starvation with the intention of feeling a sense of control over the body. This cycle becomes an obsession and is comparable to any type of drug or substance addiction.

Who is at risk for anorexia?

Nearly 95% of the anorexics are females, but males can also develop the disorder. Anorexia characteristically begins to manifest itself in adolescence; a low percent of anorexia is also seen in young children. Psychologists believe that people for whom slimness is particularly preferred or a professional prerequisite (models; athletes and actors) are at great risk for anorexia nervosa.

The physical symptoms

Physical symptoms, other than the obvious loss of weight, Anorexia can cause dehydrated, flaking skin. Nails become fragile. Repetitive vomiting wears away dental enamel and finally lead to tooth loss.

Heart and circulatory system:

• An unusually slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Disturbances in the heart rhythm (arrhythmia)

Gastrointestinal system and endocrine complications:

• Constipation and abdominal pain
• Changes in enzyme levels and overall damage to the liver
• Disturbances in the menstrual cycle
• Reduction in bone density

Kidney function:

• Potassium deficiency
• Increased or decreased urination
• Electrolyte imbalance which has life-threatening consequences

Psychological and behavioral symptoms

Anorexia can have perilous emotional and behavioral effects on all aspects of an individual's life and can affect other family members as well. The person is seriously underweight, which leads to fatigue, highly irritable, dejection and social withdrawal. Sleeping patterns are changed and they feel exhausted during the day. Concentration and attentiveness gradually decreases. Normally, individuals with anorexia are submissive. Sometimes, they are excessively submissive as they lack sufficient self-perception. They may show indications of other obsessions related to food or body shape that meet the symptoms of an obsessive compulsive disorder.

How long can anorexia last?

Anorexia is one among the psychiatric conditions which has highest mortality rate. Nearly 6% of anorexia victims are dying from the complications of the disease. The most common causes of death in anorexics are electrolyte imbalances and heart attacks. The patient has better chance of recovery, once the treatment is started at the outset. Nearly half of those affected will make a full recovery with proper treatment. Many individuals may require continuous treatment for anorexia over several months, and some may require treatment over several years.

Treatment

Anorexics may need several types of treatment. If their life is in immediate danger, they may need emergency treatment for complications like electrolyte imbalances, heart problems or psychiatric problems.

Medications

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not permitted any particular medications to treat anorexia since they've shown incomplete help in curing this eating disorder. Though, anti-depressants can aid treating the co-occurring conditions like nervousness or depression.

Psychotherapy

The biggest challenge in treating anorexia is that people think they don't require it as they promote it as a lifestyle choice. Psychotherapy treats the negative mindset and makes the patients to gain better self-esteem .It encourages them to cope with distress and other negative feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is most commonly used for children with anorexia.

Nutritional therapy

Nutritional therapy provides precise individual meal plans and calorie requirements to help meet the required weight goals. In severe cases of anorexia, patients may need nasogastric feeding through a tube that's placed in their nose and pushed into the stomach.

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