Anorexia
What is anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is a mental disorder characterized by the underweight of the patient. People with this disease are extremely concerned about their weight.
This results in a complete refusal to eat, inducing vomiting or taking in a very small amount of food, which is not enough to maintain the normal state of the human organism. < /p>
Although the weight of the patients is below the norm, they feel anxious, which anxiety is related to their feeling that they are overweight.
This mental disorder mostly affects women between the ages of 13 and 30.
In the non-medical literature, the term anorexia nervosa is often equated with anorexia, which is incorrect because anorexia represents a lack of appetite and is a symptom of a disease or condition.
What are the symptoms?
People suffering from anorexia nervosa try to lose weight, although they have a body weight below the norm, that is, the body mass index is below 18.5.
Body mass index is the ratio of body weight to height squared.
Typically, people suffering from anorexia nervosa use some of the following drastic ways to lose weight:
- Cause vomiting;
- Excessive exercise;
- Abusing diuretics;< /strong>
- Subject to severe diets;
- Take medication to suppress appetite.
- Constipation or diarrhea;
- Fatigue;
- Stopping the menstrual cycle and delaying the development of the body through puberty;
- Hand injury from inducing vomiting;
- Tooth rot from increased stomach acid ;
- Swelling due to vomiting and swelling of the salivary glands;
- Dry and yellowish skin;< /li>
- Hair thinning;
- Kidney stones;
- Depression or frequent irritability;
- Appearance of signs of premature aging.
They usually undergo these methods secretly. For example, when an anorexic sits at the table to eat with his family, so that the family does not notice the presence of the problem, he hides part of the food in a napkin.
Some of the following signs may also appear from methods of weight loss and prolonged starvation:
What are the causes of anorexia nervosa?
The causes of anorexia nervosa are not fully understood. But it is believed that certain events in a person’s life that cause them great stress, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one, can trigger anorexia nervosa. Also, certain traits in a person’s character such as low self-esteem and perfectionism can cause anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
All cases of anorexia nervosa need treatment. This includes an examination with a specialist doctor and regular consultations to monitor whether the recovery from the disease is progressing at the usual pace.
Hospitalization is necessary only when the body weight is much below the norm or patients have more serious clinical symptoms.
The goal of the treatment is to normalize the body weight of patients and to re-establish healthy eating habits.
If you have problems with eating, do not resist treatment. Although at first you are likely to experience a strong fear of gaining weight, so try to accept that gaining weight is what will save your life.
How to protect yourself from anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness that is characterized by disfigurement of the body and disordered eating habits, leading to serious physical and psychological problems.
Although there is no specific method to guarantee the prevention of anorexia nervosa, there are some steps and strategies we can take to reduce the risk of developing this disease.
First and foremost, education and awareness are essential.
Knowing the symptoms and risks of anorexia nervosa can help an individual recognize the problem and seek help early.
Regular consultations with a doctor or psychologist may be beneficial, especially in the presence of factors that increase risk, such as a family history of mental illness or concomitant stressful events.
Healthy eating habits also play an important role. Maintaining a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from all food groups can help maintain a healthy weight and prevent extremes in eating.
It is important to promote a responsible and informed attitude to diet without succumbing to fads or extreme weight loss methods.
Creating a supportive and open family and community environment is also essential.
Open communication and conversations about body image, self-esteem and health can help young people feel more comfortable in their bodies and avoid the negative thoughts and beliefs that often accompany anorexia.
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Psychological support and developing healthy coping mechanisms can help people avoid falling into destructive eating habits.
Regular pursuit of hobbies, physical activity and social interactions can also support mental well-being and prevent anorexia.
In conclusion, although we cannot guarantee the complete prevention of anorexia nervosa, we can take steps to reduce the risk and for better mental and physical health.
