Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the person feels extreme food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body image.
The major symptoms of anorexia nervosa include
- Significant weight loss
- Failure to gain the expected weight
- Obsessive thoughts about food and calories
- Rigid eating rituals
- Withdrawal from social activities involving food
- Persistent belief that one is overweight despite being dangerously underweight
These symptoms rarely appear in isolation. They tend to cluster and reinforce each other over time. The study says that this condition has the highest death rate of any mental illness.
Some Major Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
The symptoms of anorexia nervosa are categorized into 3 aspects.
Physical Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
The most visible physical sign of anorexia nervosa is being significantly underweight relative to what is healthy for a person's age, height, and build. But since weight looks different on everyone, clinicians often use a Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if the person has anorexia nervosa.
Beyond weight loss, the early signs and symptoms of an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa) include a range of changes that affect nearly every system in the body.
- Brittle nails and thinning or falling hair
- Dry, yellowish skin
- Feeling cold all the time
- Dizziness, fainting, or low blood pressure
- Swollen joints and muscle weakness
- Stomachaches
- Low mood
- Never feeling hungry
- Extreme anxiety
In people who purge in addition to restricting, tooth enamel erosion, chronic sore throats, and acid reflux are also common physical indicators.
Behavioral Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Eating less is only one of the surface-level behavioral symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Anorexics frequently form complex eating habits over time. They might cut food into tiny pieces, rearrange food on their plate, eat only at certain times, or insist on using specific utensils.
Other behavioral signs of eating disorders include:
- Extremely restrictive eating
- Lying about food
- Making excuses to avoid mealtimes
- Exercising intensely
- Checking weight frequently
- Wearing baggy or layered clothes
- Secretive use of diet pills, laxatives, or herbal appetite suppressants
Many people with anorexia avoid mirrors or refuse to be weighed at all, especially in medical settings.
Mental and Psychological Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
The mental symptoms of anorexia nervosa are:
- An overwhelming, phobic-level anxiety regarding weight gain
- The person thinks that their self-worth depends on their body image
- Persistent low mood and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Difficulty adapting to changes in routine or spontaneous plans
Low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and perfectionism are also strongly associated with the disorder.
The First Signs of Anorexia
The first signs of anorexia are frequently dismissed as normal "healthy eating" or an interest in fitness. A teen who abruptly develops an obsession with calorie tracking or begins cutting out entire food categories may be at risk for anorexia nervosa.
Other early indicators include:
- Sudden interest in nutrition, dieting, or "clean eating" that becomes rigid and rule-based
- Making negative comments about their own body frequently
- Avoiding foods they previously enjoyed without a clear reason
- Becoming defensive or secretive about eating habits
Get Treatment For Eating Disorders
Keeping an eye on the major symptoms can help you manage anorexia. It has some serious long-term effects, so you have to watch out for the red flags. If you recognize several of the signs, reach out to a healthcare provider at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates.
Schedule your appointment today and get complete mental and behavioral health support from experts at BNBA.