Anorexia Nervosa: Understanding the Eating Disorder

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, an unhealthy desire to be thin, and a disturbance in the way a person perceives their body. People with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted view of their body, believing themselves to be overweight even when they are dangerously underweight. They may severely restrict their food intake, compulsively exercise, or purge calories through vomiting or laxatives.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness that can lead to a number of health problems, including malnutrition, heart problems, osteoporosis, and infertility. It can also be fatal.

People with anorexia nervosa should seek treatment from a mental health professional and a physician who specializes in eating disorders.