Anorexia Nervosa

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Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia, is a type of eating disorder that mainly affects adolescent girls and young women. A person with this disease has an intense fear of gaining weight and limits the food she eats. She:

has a low body weight
refuses to keep a normal body weight
is extremely afraid of becoming fat
believes she is fat even when she's very thin
misses three (menstrual) periods in a row (for girls/women who have started having their periods)

Anorexia affects your health because it can damage many parts of your body. A person with anorexia will have many of these signs:

loses a lot of weight
talks about weight and food all the time
moves food around the plate; doesn't eat it
weighs food and counts calories
follows a strict diet
fears gaining weight
won't eat in front of others
ignores/denies hunger
uses extreme measures to lose weight (self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic abuse, diet pills, fasting, excessive exercise)
thinks she's fat when she's too thin
gets sick a lot
weighs self several times a day
acts moody
feels depressed
feels irritable
doesn't socialize
wears baggy clothes to hide appearance

The good news is that people with this disease can get better. The treatment depends on what the person needs, but the person must get back to a healthy weight.

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Additional Resources

Publications

Eating Disorders - This fact sheet identifies the common signs, symptoms, and treatment options for three of the most common eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0047/default.asp
Eating Disorders - This is a detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders, with information on getting help and coping.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml
Frequently Asked Questions - Anorexia Nervosa - This easy-to-read fact sheet contains information about anorexia nervosa. It gives the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, and the effects it has on the body. It also provides information for pregnant women.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/easyread/anorexia-etr.htm
What People with Anorexia Nervosa Need to Know About Osteoporosis - Anorexia nervosa has significant physical consequences. Affected individuals can experience nutritional and hormonal problems that negatively impact bone density. This fact sheet discusses osteoporosis management strategies in individuals who have Anorexia.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/anorexia_nervosa.asp...
Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © Helpguide.org) - This fact sheet describes the signs, symptoms, causes, effects, treatment, and support for the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm
Anorexia nervosa (Copyright © MFMER) - This web site provides information about anorexia nervosa, including risk factors, symptoms, treatment, coping skills, and self-help.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorexia/DS00606
Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © NAMI) - This fact sheet discusses anorexia nervosa. It includes the symptoms, prevalence, causes, treatment options and other important information.
http://www.nami.org/helpline/anorexia.htm
Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © NEDA) - This fact sheet describes the primary symptoms as well as the warning signs of anorexia nervosa. It lists health consequences and statistics about anorexia nervosa.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=321&Profile_ID=41142

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

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