Anorexia

Characterization of Anorexia

Anorexia is characterized by behaviors including self-induced starvation, restricting calorie intake, restricting/fearing certain types of food, and having a distorted body image accompanied by excessive weight loss. Individuals with anorexia have difficulty maintaining an appropriate weight due to the tremendously debilitating fear of weight gain or becoming fat, even when in actuality they are underweight.

Physical Symptoms

Characterization of Anorexia

Significant Weight loss
Brittle nails
Thinning hair or hair loss,
Lanugo (the growth of soft, fine body and facial hair)
Dizziness and possible fainting
Amenorrhea (Irregular or loss of menstrual cycle)
Cold Intolerance
Poor circulation (hands & feet)
Feeling extremely full from a small amount of food
Chronic constipation
Fatigue/Fainting
Difficult concentrating
Poor memory
Stomach distended
Swelling
Low blood pressure
Anemia
Pale Skin

Behavior Symptoms

Characterization of Anorexia

Behavior Symptoms

Restriction in daily caloric intake
Perfectionism
Intense fear of weight gain
Feelings of guilt from eating
Food rituals
Distorted Body Image
Excuses constantly to not eat (individual will say he/she already ate when they did not)
Preoccupation with food, weight, calories, body image
Engages in preparing elaborate meals for others to eat but not themselves
Poor self-esteem
Withdrawn from friends and family
Denies reality of weight loss

Anorexia may often include the following behaviors as well:

Purging through vomiting/laxative/diuretics
Compulsive exercising
Binge eating with or without purging episodes

Medical Concerns

Psychiatric Conditions Commonly Co-Occurring

Behavior Symptoms

Electrolyte imbalance
Cardiac arrest
Gastrointestinal complications (chronic diarrhea, constipated, IBS)
Amenorrhea (Irregular or loss of menstrual cycle)
Stomach pain
Bloating
Bacterial Infections
Chronic Kidney issues/Failure
Neurological issues

Psychiatric Conditions Commonly Co-Occurring

Bipolar disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Panic/Anxiety disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Substance Abuse