What is anorexia nervosa and what are the signs, symptoms and treatment?
The eating disorder is most common is teenagers, so do you have concerns about YOUR kids?
ANOREXIA is a serious and potentially-fatal mental health condition which affects thousands of women and a growing number of men.
The illness can lead to fragile bones, infertility and heart problems if left untreated. These are the signs to look out for...
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa, often known as just anorexia, is a very serious mental health condition which causes the person to restrict the amount they eat.
The sufferer of the eating disorder aims to keep their body weight as low as possible by avoiding food, vomiting or exercising excessively.
The condition usually affects girls and women, however, more recently it has started affecting more boys and usually it develops at around 16 or 17 years old.
Despite being less common than some other conditions, anorexia is one of the leading causes of mental health-related deaths - as a result of malnutrition or suicide.
Some celebrities have gone public with their struggles, including EastEnder’s Michelle Collins.
She recently opened up about her battles with anorexia and bulimia.
Also on Coronation Street, the actress revealed she was so thin from starving herself and using laxatives she was mistaken for a drug addict.
The 56-year-old said her problems began when she was a teenager and was rejected from 12 drama schools.
Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall is another famous face who has opened up about their struggles.
The 23-year-old previously revealed she suffered from the eating disorder, which began when she was 13.
She was admitted to hospital after losing a staggering amount of weight following bullying and problems at home.
What are the signs of anorexia nervosa?
Usually, a sufferer will go to great lengths to disguise the fact they are not eating or pretending they have eaten already.
But if you suspect someone is battling the condition there are a few signs to look out for, . These include:
- Missing meals, eating very little or avoiding eating any fatty foods
- Obsessively counting calories in food
- Leaving the table immediately after eating so they can vomit
- Taking appetite suppressants, laxatives, or diuretics (a type of medication that helps remove fluid from the body)
- Repeatedly weighing themselves or checking their body in the mirror
- Physical problems, such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hair loss, or dry skin
What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
The main symptom of anorexia is purposely losing weight by skipping meals, lying about what they've eaten or exercise to excess, although there are a few others that indicate an issue.
Someone suffering from anorexia will likely have low self-esteem or a negative body image and feelings.
Sometimes they'll wear baggy clothes to hide their figure and will weigh themselves a lot or frequently measure themselves around the waist.
Other symptoms are physical, such as:
- Bloating or constipation
- Headaches
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Feeling very tired
- Feeling cold
- Discoloured hands and feet caused by poor circulation
- Fry skin
- Hair loss from the scalp
- Abdominal pain
- Problems sleeping
- Fine downy hair (lanugo) growing on the body
- Brittle nails
What is the treatment for anorexia nervosa?
Treatment for anorexia is usually a combination of psychological therapy and supervised weight gain but it's important for a person to start treatment as quick as possible.
Psychological treatment
There are a variety of psychological treatments that can be used to treat anorexia and depending on the severity of the condition, treatment will last for at least 6 to 12 months or more.
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is based on the theory that mental health conditions such as anorexia are caused by unhealthy patterns of behaviour and thinking developed in the past.
CAT involves a three-stage process:
- Reformulation – looking at past events that may explain why the unhealthy patterns developed
- Recognition – helping people see how these patterns are contributing towards the anorexia
- Revision – identifying changes that can break these unhealthy patterns
Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Focal psychodynamic therapy (FPT) and family interventions are all other techniques used to help a sufferer, as is gaining weight safely.
Around 50 per cent of people with anorexia will continue to have some level of eating problems, even after treatment.
For more information, or to seek help, please visit .
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What is To The Bone and why has the Netflix film proven so controversial?
Netflix recently launched an original movie called To The Bone.
The film follows Ellen, a 20-year-old character that is battling anorexia nervosa.
Lily Collins plays the leading role alongside Keanu Reeves, who is one of the doctors working for a recovery group.
To The Bone tackles a sensitive subject, so it's unsurprising that viewers have concerns about the content.
One Twitter user accused the Netflix creation of generalising the eating disorder.
Another suggested that the film was glamorising the illness.
They said: "I wish anorexia recovery was as romantic and funny as in Netflix's 'To The Bone'. But it's bulls***."