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Eating Disorder Facts
Understanding

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, extreme weight loss, and an intense fear of gaining weight. It has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.

Also known as: AN, Anorexia

Affects approximately 0.3–0.4% of young women and 0.1% of young men

Anorexia nervosa involves a relentless pursuit of thinness, a willingness to restrict food intake to a dangerous degree, and a distorted body image in which sufferers perceive themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight.

There are two subtypes:

  • Restricting type: Weight loss is accomplished primarily through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
  • Binge-eating/purging type: Involves episodes of binge eating or purging behavior (self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics) in addition to restriction.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness. Between 5–10% of individuals with anorexia will die within 10 years of developing the disorder. Early treatment is critical.

Recognize

Signs & Symptoms

Dramatic weight loss or failure to make expected developmental weight gains
Dressing in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting
Refusal to eat certain foods, often progressing to restriction of entire categories
Frequent comments about feeling "fat" despite weight loss
Denial of hunger or making excuses to avoid mealtimes
Development of food rituals (cutting food into tiny pieces, rearranging food)
Excessive, rigid exercise regimen — despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
Inability to maintain body weight appropriate for age, height, and build
Understand

Causes & Risk Factors

No single cause has been identified. Eating disorders arise from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.

Genetic predisposition — eating disorders run in families
Neurobiological factors — differences in brain structure and function
Perfectionism and obsessive personality traits
History of dieting or negative energy balance
Cultural pressure emphasizing thinness as an ideal
History of trauma, abuse, or bullying
Anxiety disorders, especially in childhood
Major life transitions or stressful life events
Health Impact

Health Consequences

Eating disorders have serious medical consequences and can be life-threatening if untreated.

  • Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure — risk of heart failure
  • Reduction in bone density (osteoporosis), leading to dry, brittle bones
  • Muscle loss and weakness throughout the body
  • Severe dehydration, potentially resulting in kidney failure
  • Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness
  • Dry hair and skin; hair loss on head
  • Growth of a downy layer of hair (lanugo) all over the body to keep warm
  • Disruption of menstrual cycle (amenorrhea) in women
  • Brain damage and cognitive impairment from malnutrition
  • Multi-organ failure and death in severe cases
Healing

Treatment Approaches

01 Medical stabilization — addressing immediate health dangers including malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances
02 Nutritional rehabilitation — restoring weight and establishing regular eating patterns with guidance from a registered dietitian
03 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — identifying and changing distorted thoughts and behaviors around food and body image
04 Family-Based Treatment (FBT/Maudsley Approach) — the leading evidence-based treatment for adolescents, empowering parents to support re-feeding
05 Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills
06 Medication — SSRIs or other psychiatric medications may help manage co-occurring anxiety or depression
07 Levels of care range from outpatient therapy to residential or inpatient hospitalization depending on severity

There is hope

Recovery is possible with the right help.

Talk to a professional who specializes in eating disorder treatment.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions