About Anorexia Nervosa
see also About Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight.

When a person begins to lose weight by lowering their food intake, or restricting their diet to certain types of foods, they can be at risk for developing anorexia nervosa. Once anorexia nervosa develops, individuals may limit or exclude foods with high fat or caloric content and could eventually restrict their food intake to a small number of foods.

Decreased food intake is only one method to lose weight. Some individuals with anorexia will try to lose weight by different means, such as:

• Vomiting
• Laxative abuse
• Diuretic (caffeine or alcohol) abuse
• Insulin abuse
• Excessive exercise

When someone suffers from anorexia nervosa, they might simply imagine that they are gaining weight, even if they aren't. Perceived weight gain is met with intense fear of becoming fat. Once weight is lost, the fear of gaining weight does not disappear; in fact, it increases. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa have a persistent feeling of being overweight, despite their actual appearance.

Anorexia nervosa is a devastating disorder that can cause serious medical complications such as:

• Loss of menstruation
• Emaciation
• Bradycardia
• Hypotension
• Hypothermia
• Osteoporosis
• Impaired renal functioning
• Gastrointestinal problems

If any of the following symptoms apply to you or a loved one, contact us. You or your loved one may be at risk of having anorexia nervosa.

• Weight loss with no known medical illness
• Ritualistic eating habits
• Excessive exercise
• Eating low- to no-fat, and low-calorie foods
• Sufferer says he or she is fat, even when this is obviously untrue
• Hair loss
• Cold hands and feet
• Fainting
• Exhaustion
• Shortness of breath
• Dry, brittle skin
• Depression
• Withdrawal
• Tooth and gum decay
• Dressing in baggy clothes
• Hyper-competitiveness

If anorexia is left untreated, it can be fatal. If you or someone you know has anorexia, contact Brookhaven Hospital today at 1-888-298-HOPE (4673) or email us at wecanhelp@brookhavenhospital.com

Anorexia nervosa
is treatable. Call us:

888-298-HOPE (4673)
We can help!