Anorexia is a very dangerous disease and often fatal eating disorder. It is characteristic due to considerable weight loss that results from excessive dieting.
Anorexia very often starts in very unconfident people who have an irrational fear of becoming obese. Anorexic people are obsessed with dieting. And this results in starvation, as they stop eating anything. In their own eyes they are always fat, no matter how little they weigh.
A majority of people with anorexia are women, however, there are more and more men who become anorexic as well. Anorexic people are obsessed with exercising and counting calories. They limit the amount of food consumed, deny their hunger, use coffee or cigarettes to avoid eating and have an overwhelming concern with their body image. It is estimated that 10%-20% of anorexic people finally die of complications related to this condition.
Anorexics are characterized by perfectionism. They impose high standards on themselves. They are driven by a desire to control themselves and their surroundings all the time. They have perfect control only over their eating habits and weight. They feel powerful when they can make themselves lose weight. Anorexic people always deny the feeling of hunger because they believe they don’t deserve eating.
Obvious symptoms of anorexia include: noticeable weight loss, becoming withdrawn, excessive exercise, tiredness, muscle weakness, food and calories obsession, excuses for not eating meals or unusual eating habits, discomfort around food, depression, irritability, mood swings, fainting spells and dehydration.
Most sufferers complain of being too fat, and feel extremely guilty or shameful about eating. The often check their weight and often use laxatives, diuretics and diet pills. Their self-confidence is determined by what they eat or do not eat.
Most anorexic people refuse help as they think that therapy is only a way to force them to eat. They can be treated effectively only when they admit to having a problem. Treatment for anorexia is a life long struggle, and is done via a combination of psychological, nutritional and medical care.
