Anorexia: symptoms, cause and 7 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Anorexia is a word that came into our dictionary from ancient Greece and literally means – the absence of the urge to eat. In medicine, using the term anorexia, they mean a syndrome characterized by a conscious refusal of food, a prolonged lack of appetite and the disappearance of the basic instinct – hunger.

The disease is classified as a mental disorder, characterized by a refusal to eat and an obsession with one’s own weight. This illness appeared in the mid-20th century and, according to experts, is directly related to changes in culture and the perception of female beauty.You will be interested in:Emotional instability Apathy

Young girls are more susceptible to anorexia, and its causes are most often associated with the desire to conform to the established standard of beauty. Refusal to eat leads not only to physical exhaustion, but also to serious mental disorders. Often, patients with anorexia are girls who, with an average height, weigh no more than 40 kilograms and look extremely emaciated.

Causes of anorexia

Anorexia occurs when the food center is inhibited due to various reasons. These include: excessive excitation of the brain associated with strong emotions;

• mental illness;
• endocrine disorders;
• acute and chronic infections, intoxications;
• metabolic disorders;
• diseases of the digestive system (acute gastritis, exacerbation of chronic gastritis, stomach cancer, etc.);
• irregular monotonous diet;
• poor taste of food, as well as an unpleasant atmosphere when eating.

In some cases, it develops as a result of a special neurotic reaction to various unfavorable influences – a nervous form of anorexia. With prolonged anorexia, the body’s resistance decreases and its susceptibility to various diseases increases.

First of all, it is necessary to note the fact that there are several types of anorexia: primary, mental and nervous. Primary anorexia occurs in women due to various organic and physiological pathologies: hormonal dysfunction, neurological disorders, malignant tumors and other diseases. Mental anorexia is caused by various psychiatric disorders: depression, delusional ideas, catatonic stupor, schizophrenia.

However, when we say the word “anorexia”, most often we mean nervous anorexia. There are a great many psychological causes of anorexia: these include family characteristics, personal characteristics, and difficulties in communicating with others. Most often, this wide range of problems includes:

Negative atmosphere around meals. 

As a rule, the source of this reason is in deep childhood. Some parents believe that the child must be fed at all costs, and his unwillingness is not an obstacle to this. They begin to force food into the child, and the child develops a gag reflex and a general negative attitude towards food. Because of this, anorexia can begin at a very early age, or it can hide and manifest itself already in adolescence or even in adulthood if there are additional factors.

Low self-esteem and impaired perception of one’s body.

All girls with anorexia consider themselves ugly, fat, and ugly. Even with very little weight and protruding bones, they feel like they are “completely covered in fat.” But this is more likely a consequence of anorexia, and the reason is that such girls generally consider themselves worthless in life: stupid, weak, uninteresting, and passive. And they try to succeed at least in something, by acquiring a beautiful figure, in their opinion.

Obsession and obsession in behavior, perfectionism.

This trait has very bad consequences during long-term weight loss. Even if it starts as a completely healthy process, due to the excessive desire for perfection, a girl can get so “stuck” in it that she will always seem insufficiently beautiful to herself. And, therefore, she needs to eat even less, and more, and more…

Unmet need for love and acceptance.

In this case, anorexia becomes a bridge to starting to be liked by other people. This often happens to girls who were overweight. Having started to lose weight, they notice that other people began to reach out to them and show sympathy. This reinforces the positive effect of losing weight, and they become “addicted” to it. And very soon it begins to have a pathological character.

Symptoms

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that affects both the body and mind. People with anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme food restrictions. This condition can cause severe health complications if left untreated.

Physical Symptoms of Anorexia

• Extreme weight loss despite normal eating habits.
• Fatigue and dizziness due to malnutrition.
• Dry skin and brittle nails from nutrient deficiencies.
• Irregular heart rhythms and low blood pressure.
• Loss of menstrual cycle in women.

Behavioral Symptoms of Anorexia

• Obsessive calorie counting and food avoidance.
• Excessive exercise even when exhausted.
• Social withdrawal and avoiding meals with others.
• Distorted body image and constant weight-checking.

Comparison of Anorexia Symptoms

Recognizing these symptoms early can help prevent serious health risks. If you or someone you know is struggling, seek professional help. Learn more about anorexia here.