Symptoms - Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is the most serious eating disorder. It is a type of mental health difficulty.

People who have anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible. They do this by not eating enough food or exercising too much, or both. They may also try to lower their weight by vomiting or using medicines.

This can make them very ill because their body is starved of the food it needs to keep them safe and healthy.

Men and women of any age can get anorexia, but it's most common in young women. It usually starts from age 15.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptom of anorexia is losing more weight than is healthy for your age and height.

Signs and symptoms include:

• deliberately missing meals, eating very little, or avoiding eating any foods you see as fattening
• lying about what and when you've eaten, and how much you weigh
• taking medicine that makes you feel less hungry (appetite suppressants)
• exercising too much
• making yourself sick
• using medicines to help you poo (laxatives) or help you pee (diuretics) to avoid putting on weight
• an overwhelming fear of gaining weight
• strict rituals around eating
• seeing losing a lot of weight as a positive thing
• believing you are fat when you are a healthy weight or underweight
• not admitting your weight loss is serious

You may also notice physical signs and symptoms such as:

• if you're under 18, your weight and height being lower than expected for your age
• if you're an adult, having an unusually low body mass index (BMI)
• your periods stopping
• your periods not starting
• bloating, constipation and tummy pain
• headaches or problems sleeping
• feeling cold, dizzy or very tired
• poor circulation in hands and feet
• dry skin, hair loss from the scalp, or fine downy hair (lanugo) growing on your body
• reduced sex drive

People with anorexia often have other mental health difficulties. For example, depression or anxiety.

Warning signs of anorexia in someone else

The following warning signs could show that someone else has anorexia:

• dramatic weight loss
• lying about how much and when they've eaten, or how much they weigh
• avoiding eating with others
• cutting their food into small pieces
• eating very slowly to disguise how little they are eating
• trying to hide how thin they are by wearing loose or baggy clothes
• weighing themselves often
• drinking more fluids

Warning signs of anorexia in children or young people

Children and young people may not be able to talk about their worries about their weight or eating.

Warning signs your child has anorexia include:

• a change in eating pattern
• cutting out fun foods such as sweets and treats
• eating smaller portions
• distress and upset at meal times
• avoiding meal times
• unusual eating behaviours such as cutting food into small pieces
• spending extra time looking at food or counting calories
• regularly doing more exercise than they need to
• spending long time in bathroom after meals
• becoming withdrawn and irritable
• showing a lot of concern about body shape and weight
• losing a lot of weight

Health problems caused by anorexia

Anorexia can lead to severe health problems associated with malnutrition (not eating enough food for your body). But these will usually start to improve when your eating habits return to normal.

Possible complications (difficulties) include:

• loss of sex drive
• fertility problems
• kidney or bowel problems
• having a weakened immune system or anaemia
• problems with your heart and blood vessels
• problems with your brain and nerves, such as fits, difficulties with concentration and memory
• problems with muscles and bones, such as feeling tired and weak, osteoporosis or physical development

Anorexia can also put your life at risk. It's one of the leading causes of deaths related to mental health difficulties. Deaths from anorexia may be due to physical complications or suicide.

Causes of anorexia

It's not known what causes anorexia and other eating disorders.

You may be more likely to get an eating disorder if:

• you are dieting a lot
• you are very unhappy with your body
• someone in your family has a history of an eating disorder
• you are an over-worrier, a perfectionist or are very critical of yourself
• you have been bullied or criticised for your eating habits, body shape or weight
• you have a job or hobby that focuses on body image such as ballet, gymnastics, modelling or athletics
• you have a health condition such as diabetes

Getting help

If you think you may have anorexia, even if you are not sure, see your GP as soon as you can.

If a family member or friend may have anorexia, let them know you're worried about them.

Encourage them to see their GP. You could offer to go along with them.

How to get help for an eating disorder - spunout.ie

For more support and information about anorexia nervosa visit Bodywhys.ie