Symptoms of Anorexia Essay Example

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa which is commonly referred to as refers to a disorder in eating which is mostly shown by a person having a very abnormal low body weight. The person also develops an intensified fear of gaining more weight as well as a distorted perception of weight. Excessive weight loss is self-caused through starvation. Apart from the physical effects of the disease on the body of the affected person, it is also considered a mental condition. The people with this condition place a very high value on weight control as well as their shape through the use of efforts that are to the extreme which eventually interfere with their daily lives (Barbarich 2012). The condition exhibits certain conditions are explained below:

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Symptoms

All the physical signs and symptoms of the condition are connected to starvation. They also include the behavioral and emotional elements that offer unrealistic perception on the body weight and the problems and fear that arise from the case of weight gain (Swain, 2006). Sometimes it might be difficult to point out these signs because what is commonly referred to as the low body weight is relative to each.

The Physical Conditions

The person who is in this conditions exhibits physical signs such as massive loss of weight or huge gains on weight. They also appear thin and have abnormal blood counts. They suffer from insomnia, fatigue and frequent dizziness which sometimes can lead to fainting. The person also has bluish discolorations more especially in the fingers. The hair of the affected person falls or breaks off easily and becomes thin. The other physical symptoms include downy; soft hair covers the body, menstruation stops, the person experiences abdominal pains and constipation. The skin becomes dry and yellow; the person becomes dehydrated, the arms swell, the blood pressure goes down, and the person experiences an irregular heartbeat (Barbarich 2012). Some other people who are in this condition, purge and binge similar to the way the people with bulimia.

The Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms

• Restriction on the food intake through fasting or dieting
• Exercising excessively
• Some people induce vomiting so that they can get rid of the food they have eaten. They achieve this through the use of herbal products, diet aids, and laxatives
• Cooking meals for others but refusing to eat.
• Skipping meals or completely refusing to eat
• They deny that they are hungry and give excuses as to why they are not eating
• Eating small amounts of certain foods more especially the ones with the lowest levels of the fat content.
• The adoption of very rigid rituals on eating such as refusing to eat in public.
• Lying that they have eaten and how much they have eaten
• Frequently checking in the mirror for any flaws as they perceive them
• Sometimes complaining that they are fat or they have some specific parts of the body which are fat
• They are withdrawn socially. They do not find pleasure in the activities that the rest of the people find pleasure in.
• They lack emotions. This is because anorexia is mostly accompanied by hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, and perfectionism. These conditions make the person not to enjoy the activities that the rest enjoy.
• They cover themselves up in different layers of clothing
• They have reduced or no interest in sex. This is because they lack energy.
• Insomnia. They lack sleep because of the anxiety and depression which is adversely affecting their health (Barbarich, 2012).

References

Barbarich-Marsteller, N. C. (2012). Anorexia nervosa: Symptoms, treatment, and neurobiology.. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Anorexia-Nervosa-Treatment-Neurobiology-Disorders/dp/1620812916

Swain, P. I. (2006). Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: New research. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Anorexia-Nervosa-Bulimia-New-Research/dp/1594543941