Anorexia Nervosa (Self-Starvation, Malnutrition, Severe Weight Loss, Extreme Weight Loss)

Page 1 2 3

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disease.

This condition is hallmarked by an extreme reluctance to consume food as a result of a psychological disturbed body image. This may lead to extreme malnutrition and weight loss. Anorexia nervosa is potentially life-threatening.

Who gets Anorexia Nervosa?

The incidence of anorexia nervosa is 1-10 per 100 000 females aged between 15 and 34 years. There is a prevalence rate of 1-2% among schoolgirls and university students. Anorexia nervosa is much less common among men with a 1:10 ratio of boys:girls. The onset of anorexia nervosa disease usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 30 years, initiated by a stressful life event. Anorexia nervosa occurs mostly in those individuals striving for success in industries that demand a slim body image such as modelling and dancing. There is also a higher prevalence of anorexia nervosa in higher social classes.

Predisposing Factors

Several theories have been put forward to explain the origin of anorexia nervosa, but none have stood the test of time.

The following are important important associations of anorexia nervosa:

Stressful life events: The condition most commonly follows a stressful situation or event in the patient's life.
Genetic: There is a higher rate of anorexia nervosa in those with a family history of this anorexia. An increased occurrence has beenshown to exist in full-blood sisters.
Turbulent family relationships: Overprotective parents, and a pattern of conflict avoidance is shown to increase the risk of developing anorexia in children. Children are thought to use anorexia nervosa as a kind of hunger strike. The child then gains power in the family dynamic for it is the child who recieves the attention and decides the outcome of a family dilemma.

Progression

The age of onset of anorexia in women is usually between 10 and 30 years of age, seldom occurring after the age of 30 years.

The onset of this anorexia nervosa usually goes unnoticed until a significant amount of weight has been lost. Weight loss is achieve with severe diet restriction and excessive amounts of exercise. Weight loss may be also occur with self-stimulation of vomiting and excessive use of laxatives. With further weight loss, a woman's period may cease, and the patient may develop low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and become very sensitive to the cold. Throughout any stage of the disease, the patient may exhibit psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety, related to their distorted body image of being "fat."

Page 1 2 3