ADVICE RATING |
 4.95 (Highly recommend) from 14 votes (583 Visits) |
My eldest daughter has a friend, this young lady has struggled with this illness since she was 12 years old…..At first it was treated as something they really were not sure of, but eventually it was diagnosed as anorexia nervosa…..
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, it is mostly common in adolescent girls and young women, a small percentage of adolescent boys are also at risk……
Anorexia nervosa is the self starvation of an individual in pursuit of extreme thinness. The cause is unknown, but it is said that a combination of hormonal, social and psychological factors are responsible.
Regardless of how much a young individual weighs, they may begin obsessive dieting, when the individual does eat, they may induce vomiting or abuse laxatives to avoid gaining weight, and many will also exercise obsessively.
Warning Signs;
n Preoccupation with food
n Thinking they are fat when they are actually bone thin
n Wearing of very baggy clothes
n Fear of gaining weight
n Refusal to eat
n Denial of hunger
n Obsessive exercise
n Hair loss
n Brittle nails
n Constantly stating they are cold
n A fine layer of hair on the body and face, like a new born baby
n Depression
n Irregular or absent periods
Signs to look for;
n Fatigue
n Nervousness or hyperactivity
n Dry skin
n Hair loss
n Intolerance to cold
More serious signs;
n Heart problems
n Loss of bone mass
n Kidney failure
n Death
Treatment is intense and long term, it begins with an eating disorder specialist, a psychiatrist, a doctor and a dietician….Counselling is also very beneficial, this will help find all the underlaying factors….
Individuals who suffer this disorder will often deny their problem and refuse treatment. Food intake must be monitored closely as these individuals are good at deceiving, relapses are common, but do avoid making food a constant source of attention and conflict…….
Obsessive dieting may result in anorexia nervosa and sufferers may be at risk of death from starvation….
If you are aware of an individual who is showing any of the signs, contact a doctor knowledgeable in eating disorders immediately, your own family GP will know who to contact as well…….
My daughter’s friend will have to struggle for the rest of her life with this illness, but at the moment things are good and she has started uni and is doing really well…..
I hope this helps………
(April 2007) (
