Anorexia Nervosa

Resistance to maintenance of a weight that is at or above a minimally normal weight for age, height and activity level. * Intense fear of gaining weight or being “fat” even though underweight.
Distortion in experience of body weight or shape; undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation; denial of the seriousness of low body weight.
Loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post puberty.

Early intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery. It is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa.

Dramatic weight loss
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, dieting
Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restriction or elimination of categories of food (e.g. carbohydrates, fats)
Frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss or low weight
Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain order, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate, cutting food into very small pieces)
Denial of hunger
Frequent weighing of self
Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations that involve food
Excessive and rigid exercise (despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury); the need to “burn off” calories taken in.
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, exercise, and control of food are becoming primary concern.

Rigid, inflexible thinking; all or nothing thinking
Low self-esteem; appearance and achievement as a measure of worth
Denial; believes that others are overreacting to low weight or caloric restriction
Difficulty concentrating
Isolation
Compares self to others
Difficulty identifying and expressing feelings