Anorexia Nervosa

Feed

Groups

Contributors

Partners

Join the Conversation on
Anorexia Nervosa

20K people

0 stories

3.1K posts

About Anorexia Nervosa Show topic details

#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 [...]

912

Save

Post

Group Leader

naminyc

•

@naminyc

FREE Mental Health Support & Community 1d

See full photo

Understanding Eating Disorders: What Parents & Caregivers Need to Know

9% of Americans will develop an eating disorder at some point in their life, and the majority of eating disorders develop around the ages of 12-25. Join NAMI-NYC and Melainie Rogers, from BALANCE eating disorder treatment center in NYC, for a discussion on understanding eating disorders for parents and caregivers. We will discuss treatment options and care strategies on Monday, April 27, 6-7:15 PM. Sign up today: www.eventbrite.com/e/1983469647108

#MentalHealth #Parenting #EatingDisorder #BulimiaNervosa #AnorexiaNervosa #BingeEatingDisorder #AvoidantRestrictiveFoodIntakeDisorder #Pica #RuminationDisorder #Orthorexia