Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by excessive weight loss, a person’s distorted understanding of body shape and weight perception. They are significantly restricted in their food intake. For fear of gaining weight after meals, they may use enemas, diuretics, laxatives, or make themselves vomit. They tend to exercise excessively.
Some experts consider anorexia nervosa as the deadliest psychiatric disease group due to serious complications. Approximately 10% of patients die due to complications and organ failure.
In most patients, it is not the fear of gaining weight, but the difficulty in coping with the problems around them, lack of self-confidence, fear of being disliked.
These people often cannot establish healthy relationships with family members and others due to their obsessive, negative thoughts and behaviors. They think that the people around them are usually trying to control their own behavior and thoughts. They avoid facing their own problems. They feel powerless against those around them. They are assertive and refrain from expressing their opinions openly.
Table of contents
What are the causes of anorexia nervosa?
The exact cause of eating disorders is not known. However, the reasons put forward are:
- Inability to keep up with changes in adolescence,
- Female psychology,
- Obsessive compulsive personality structure,
- Strict traditional family structure,
- Slim, slender female role models,
- Wrong diet approaches
- Desire to be more attractive
- Difficulty coping with social problems,
- Genetic predisposition,
- Physical or psychological trauma, abuse,
- Changes in serotonin, norepinephrine, cortisol levels,
What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
- Excessive weight loss,
- Making excuses not to eat
- Decreased interest in sexuality
- State of irritability,
- Skipping meals,
- Fear of socializing
- Body complaints,
- Insomnia,
- Symptoms related to anemia
- Caries in the teeth, gum diseases,
- Cardiovascular system diseases (low blood pressure, rhythm disorders, fluid electrolyte imbalances, etc.),
- Digestive system diseases (nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation etc.)
- Hormonal changes (menstrual irregularity, etc.),
- Bone fractures,
How is anorexia nervosa diagnosed?
There is no specific diagnosis or screening method. Diagnosis can be made by anamnesis and examination findings. Eating habits of the person are questioned. The damage caused by the eating disorder to the body is evaluated. Organ failure and immune status are investigated in the laboratory. Seratonin, cortisol, thyroidhormone levels are examined. Psychological evaluation is done.
How is anorexia nervosa treated?
Psychiatric approach is essential in treatment. Group therapies, behavioral therapy, family interviews can be tried. Severe cases are followed up in the hospital. Nutritional support is provided. Antidepressants may be helpful in some patients.
Psychotherapies aim to help people gain self-confidence, express themselves comfortably, change their eating behavior, and stay at peace with their own body. It is also aimed to improve the family’s approach to the patient.