Anorexia Nervosa

Feed

Groups

Contributors

Partners

Join the Conversation on
Anorexia Nervosa

19.3K people

0 stories

2.8K posts

About Anorexia Nervosa

#AnorexiaNervosa#Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss. A person with anorexia experiences an intense fear of weight gain and their self-esteem becomes based almost entirely on their physical appearance. In response, they may feel compelled to starve themselves of food or exercise frequently. Anorexia may cause anxiety surrounding eating and a preoccupation with diet and weight. Approximately 90-95% of those affected are women and about 1% of American women have anorexia. It typically appears in early or mid-adolescence and can be fatal if not properly managed. Early diagnosis can significantly help the recovery process. The most effective forms of treatment have proven to be some form of psychotherapy or counseling combined with careful attention to nutritional needs. Nutritional counseling can be extremely beneficial along with close monitoring of one’s diet and exercise. Having supportive friends and family to help keep the individual with anorexia stay on their nutritional plan may also be helpful and encouraging. There is a big difference between dieting or wanting to be thinner and anorexia the mental disorder. People with anorexia have an illogical fear of weight gain and in many cases do not realize how hazardous their behavior is to their health. They become so focused on their weight and appearance that their other priorities, such as school, work or relationships, may fall by the wayside. Anorexia nervosa can involve binging, purging and restricting food intake. Without proper treatment or management, it can lead to serious health problems or even result in organ failure, systemic shutdowns or death. There are a variety of organizations that exist to help those suffering from eating disorders like anorexia. Support groups and outpatient programs are available, as well as crisis lines for those in acute danger. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

Explore Our Newsletters

Story

Young sad woman sitting on the window looking outside

Ceilidh Monaghan

•

Anorexia Nervosa

I May Be at a 'Healthy' Weight, but I Still Have Anorexia

Personally, I find it difficult to move away from the stereotype of eating disorders. It feels as if I’m under scrutiny for no longer “looking” anorexic. And this is a problem. Although I do in fact have the primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, the fact I feel I need to justify my eating disorder is [...]

424

Save

What's New in Anorexia Nervosa

All

Stories

Posts

Videos

Story

close up photo of young woman with genuine smile and hand raised to cheek

Debbie F.

•

Eating Disorders

Pinned

What My 'Before and After' Picture Would Be for Anorexia Recovery

We’ve all seen those before and after pictures. A person shares two picture of themselves — most likely in the same outfit — and places them side-by-side. The picture on the left is before their diet, exercise program, cleanse, etc. The one on the right is the results after. In addition to their bodies looking a little different, their [...]

Be first

Save

Story

Deciding to Stay Alive After Choosing a Palliative Care Route With Anorexia

Photo of author, young woman wavy brown hair smiling in a blank tank top

Sam Shirreff

•

Anorexia Nervosa

Pinned

Deciding to Stay Alive After Choosing a Palliative Care Route With Anorexia

July 2019. It’s been a year. It’s been a year of something. It was truly a light in a season of dark and broken places. A life-changing, heartbreaking, mind-blowing and lifesaving something. On July 23, 2018, after very careful thought and consideration and many, many tears, I felt my brain just “was” and would never [...]

Post

•

Cachexia

I had an active eating disorder in high school and college and my dr just prescribed an antidepressant that can cause a severe form of anorexia called cachexia. My dr knows my history but I think he thinks it’s benefits outweigh the risks. The risks worry me.

But I’ve been so depresssed and am fighting the bad self talk. I’m so stressed I have crazy hives all over. I have no place to live because my rent went up hundreds of dollars and am looking for a place. But I have to pack. And we gutted my daughters room on Friday-she’s in college and said to get rid of it all. My sisters helped and were judgemental and made me crazy but they helped. My dad showed up and yelled at me about an almost flat tire. I almost cursed which would’ve been a even bigger mess. My personal bedroom is about as bad as my daughters as far as messes go. I have chronic pain and it’s hard for me do things. My family just thinks I’m lazy. Which isn’t the case. I’m down to my last straw.

3 reactions • 1 comment

Save

Post

Charlotte1990

•

@charlotte1990

MightyTogether 1mo

I’m new here!

Hi, my name is Charlotte1990. I'm here because I have struggled with mental health my whole life, I’m in recovery from Anorexia Nevosa and I’m a new mum to a baby girl.

#MightyTogether #PTSD #EatingDisorder #Anxiety

16 reactions • 5 comments

Save

Post

Grand15kids

•

@grand15kids

MightyTogether 1mo

I'm new here!

Hi, my name is Grand15kids. I'm here because
My granddaughter was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa #MightyTogether

1 reaction • 1 comment

Save

Post

lumos_05

•

@lumos_05

MightyTogether 2mo

I’m new here!

Hi, my name is lumos_05.

#MightyTogether #ADHD #Anorexia #ChronicPain #BrainInjury #EatingDisorder #rarediseasemom

2 reactions • 1 comment

Save

Post

lumos_05

•

@lumos_05

MightyTogether 2mo

I’m new here!

Hi, my name is lumos_05.

#MightyTogether #ADHD #Anorexia #ChronicPain #BrainInjury #EatingDisorder #rarediseasemom

2 reactions • 1 comment

Save

Post

Ehower79

•

@ehower79

MightyTogether 2mo

I'm new here!

Hi, my name is Ehower79. I'm here because my family all have their own mental health struggles. My youngest is entering year 3 of anorexia Nervosa with anxiety and depression, and my oldest was diagnosed as a teen with ASD, depression and anxiety.

#MightyTogether

5 reactions • 2 comments