Anorexia

It is not uncommon for someone to experience mild dissatisfaction with their weight, however when their dissatisfaction becomes obsessive, he or she can quickly begin to demonstrate behaviors related to the mental illness that is anorexia.

Anorexia, which is considered the most fatal of all mental illnesses, can quickly become a serious problem that can pose major medical threat to anyone who has the disorder. The majority of people struggling with anorexia are women, especially those between the ages of 12 and 25 (Ohio State University Medical Center), and according to the South Carolina Department of Health, anorexia is the third most common chronic illness in adolescents. Even though this age range of women experience anorexia the most, it is also important to note that out of the 8 million Americans that suffer from anorexia, one million of them are men.

Causes of Anorexia

 Those who experience anorexia do not do so because they chose to develop an eating disorder, rather because of serious factors that impact certain aspects of their life. Some of the factors that can lead to the development of anorexia include the following:

• Environmental reasons – In America, while curves are celebrated in some minor respects, the majority of social pressures come from the belief that being thin equals being beautiful. Between movies, magazines, television and the runway, American society uses celebrities to promote this form of acceptance through physical appearance. Also, many families raise their children on these shared beliefs, increasing the potential for their children or spouses to develop an eating disorder such as anorexia to feel accepted by their loved ones.
• Psychological aspects – There are numerous underlying issues that can contribute to the development of anorexia. Similarly, there are common disorders that often appear along with anorexia including obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders (Mayo Clinic). These disorders can have a person striving for a sense of control in an attempt to manage their anxiety.
• Life changes – Anorexia can also develop in association with a traumatic event or a life change that causes the experience of emotional dysregulation in a person. Experiences such as loss, death, natural disaster, assault or even a residential move or new career choice can easily trigger feelings of loss of control in a person who may then attempt to control their body as a way of compensating for the perceived loss of control.

Being bullied, having poor self-esteem, natural biological causes and/or a family history of this illness can also lead to the development of anorexia in an individual.

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia

There are unique signs and symptoms related to a person who is severely restricting their food intake.  They include:

• Physical symptoms – Physical symptoms such as extreme weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, fainting, thinning or loss of hair, low blood pressure, osteoporosis and the development of soft hair that covers the body can all be physical signs of a person who is battling anorexia.
• Psychological signs – Psychological signs of anorexia can include fear of weight gain, difficulty regulating emotion, rigid thinking, perfectionism, distorted body image, irritability, anxiety and depression.
• Behavioral signs – Behavioral signs of anorexia can include refusing to eat, excessive exercising, social withdrawal and use of diet pills or laxatives.

As a person continues to suffer from anorexia, not only will their symptoms become progressive and increasingly dangerous, but they will also likely begin to notice health-related consequences that can threaten their life and pose medical problems in the future. According to the Ohio State Medical Center, these consequences can include:

Medical Complications from Anorexia

Anorexia can cause some medical complications.  They include:

• Cardiovascular issues such as arrhythmias, bradycardia and hypotension
• Blood problems such as anemia and leukopenia
• Kidney complications including dehydration and polyuria
• Hormonal changes that include the cessation of the menstrual cycle in women and the potential for stunting physical growth
• Skeletal issues such as osteoporosis, fractures and osteopenia
• Death

Some of these symptoms, such as dehydration and the interruption of the menstrual cycle, can return back to normal as the individual completes treatment; however some consequences like heart damage and bone density loss can be permanent anorexia-related effects.

If any of these symptoms are present it is important to seek immediate medical attention.