Anorexia Nervosa: The environment and society have a key role in shaping a person’s psychology and outlook of themselves and the world. These body images give rise to eating disorders. Eating disorders are also serious like mental health conditions. Anorexia Nervosa is a common eating disorder that is characterized by the desire of losing weight to stay thin. This can be seen in both women and men.
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge eating disorders are the most common eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa – Symptoms & Causes
The symptoms of this disorder can be behavioral and physical. Some of the common symptoms are
- Irritability
- Unhealthy blood pressure levels
- Depression
- Increased use of laxatives and diet promoting pills
- Thin hair
- Dryness of skin
- Unhealthy weight
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Frequent refusal of meals
- Increase in exercising
- Irregular periods
- Fatigue
- Social withdrawal
- Lanugo
Genetics is also the reason for eating disorders. Other causes include low self-esteem, anxiety, OCD, psychological trauma, and sexual abuse. The environmental and social factors are also the major factors. Various media are portraying unrealistic body standards. Because of this, so many are willing to look slim.
Diagnosis & Treatment
For effective treatment, diagnosis of eating disorders is required time-to-time. Diagnosis of this disorder includes physical examination of weight, hormones, blood pressure, and malnutrition. Some psychological symptoms like behavior towards the body, food, and family analysis are also essential.
Treatment strategies are
- Nutritional therapy
- Medication
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Hospitalization
- Counseling
How can we help?
In the following ways, you can help needy people:
- Get the right education regarding eating disorders to identify the symptoms
- Be empathetic towards the person having that condition
- Do anything or do not say could trigger the eating disorder
- Help them and accompany them to the counseling and therapies
