An eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat.
Anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight.
Symptoms and Warning Signs:
Symptoms include trying to maintain a below-normal weight through starvation or too much exercise.
- Whole body: dehydration, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, low blood pressure, low body temperature, osteoporosis, water-electrolyte imbalance, or feeling cold
- Behavioral: binge eating, compulsive behavior, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or social isolation
- Mood: anxiety, apprehension, or guilt
- Weight: underweight, weight loss, or extreme weight loss and thinness
- Developmental: delayed puberty or slow growth
- Menstrual: irregular menstruation or absence of menstruation
- Gastrointestinal: constipation or vomiting
- Also common: brittle nails, bruising, depression, dieting, dry hair, dry skin, headache, sensitivity to cold, or slow heart rate
Treatments:
Treatment consists of therapy
Medical treatment may be needed to restore normal weight. Talk therapy can help with self-esteem and behavior changes.
- SSRIs: Eases symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety.
- Antipsychotic: Management of mood disorders: Some antipsychotics can be used to manage symptoms of bipolar disorder and severe depression.
