General Information About Anorexia Nervosa
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a psychological eating disorder carrying a risk of death, where the person sees themselves as overweight when looking in the mirror despite being extremely thin, refuses to eat, and centers their life on losing weight.
A perfectionist personality structure, family pressures, societal perception of thinness (social media influence), and the need to establish a sense of control, along with genetic predispositions, pave the way for this disease.
Refusing to eat, constantly counting calories, secretly expelling what they eat (vomiting), exercising excessively, sudden and extreme weight loss, and the complete cessation of menstrual bleeding in women (amenorrhea).
Due to malnutrition, the heart muscle wastes away (arrhythmia begins), bone density decreases (osteoporosis), hair falls out, kidney functions are impaired, and the body becomes unable to maintain its temperature.
Because the person usually denies their illness, the diagnosis is often made when families consult a physician. The diagnosis is confirmed by a dangerously low Body Mass Index (BMI) and a psychiatric evaluation.
The treatment is long and challenging. If there is a life-threatening situation, the patient is hospitalized and kept alive by feeding via serum/tube. Simultaneously, intensive psychotherapy and family therapy are applied to try and correct the person's body perception.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
