Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa affects less than 1% of the population, 2 million Americans. 9/10 cases are women, generally beginning in early adolescence.

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which a person refuses to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height.

Symptoms may include:
  • Weight loss
  • Peculiar patterns of handling food
  • Preoccupation with food and food preparation
  • Intense fear or gaining weight or becoming fat
  • Distorted body image
  • Denial of seriousness or the current low weight
  • Absence or normal menstrual cycle (in postmenarcheal women)
  • Severe restriction of diet
  • Purging behavior (self induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas)
  • Excessive exercise for the purpose of losing weight

Causal Factors:
Biologic, Genetic, and/or Sociologic factors. Can be accompanied by other Anxiety Disorders and/or Substance Abuse.

Treatment Options:
Medication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and/or Psychosocial Therapy.