Anorexia Nervosa: Understanding Symptoms and Characteristics

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness that can lead to life-threatening complications. People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight, even though they may be dangerously underweight. They may severely restrict their food intake, exercise excessively, or purge after eating.

Anorexia nervosa is more common in women than men, and it typically develops during adolescence or early adulthood. However, it can occur at any age.

Some of the characteristics of people with anorexia nervosa include:

* Low self-esteem

* A distorted body image (i.e., seeing yourself as overweight when you are actually underweight)

* A fear of gaining weight

* An obsession with food and calories

* Extreme weight loss

* Dry, brittle hair

* Brittle nails

* Loss of menstruation (in women)

* Muscle weakness

* Fatigue

* Dizziness

* Lightheadedness

* Constipation

* Bloating

* Abdominal pain

* Heart problems

* Kidney problems

* Osteoporosis

* Infertility

* Death

If you or someone you know has symptoms of anorexia nervosa, it is important to seek professional help immediately. Treatment for anorexia nervosa typically involves psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring.