Characterized by a severe restriction of food intake, fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia often perceive themselves as overweight even if they are significantly underweight. They might engage in extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and other behaviors to control weight. Anorexia can lead to serious health complications and is associated with a high risk of mortality - it is the deadliest of all mental health concerns.
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms
Significant Weight Loss
Intentional and severe weight loss
Preoccupation with Food, Weight, and Body Image
Constant thoughts about food, calories, body weight, and shape, often leading to distorted body image perceptions.
Dietary Restrictions
Extremely restrictive eating patterns, avoiding certain foods or food groups, and adhering to rigid meal routines.
Fear of Weight Gain
An intense fear of gaining weight, accompanied by an irrational fear of becoming what they perceive as “fat.”
Excessive Exercise
Intense or excessive exercise routines aimed at burning calories and maintaining low body weight.
Compulsive Behaviors
Rituals around food, such as cutting food into small pieces, rearranging food on the plate, or avoiding certain textures
Denial of the Severity of Weight Loss
Difficulty recognizing or denial of the seriousness of one's low body weight.
Social Withdrawal
Isolation from social activities, especially those involving food and emphasis on the body. Withdrawal from friends and family.
Physical Symptoms
Fatigue, dizziness, fainting, irregular menstruation in AFAB (assigned female at birth), dry skin, brittle nails, and intolerance to cold temperatures.
Emotional Changes
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression.