Anorexia is one of the oldest known eating disorders, characterized by periods of not eating or extreme dieting which leads to rapid weight loss.

The eating disorder anorexia has been known and recognized by doctors for centuries. In this time, many people have suffered, struggled, and died from this eating disorder.

What are the Signs of Anorexia?

Anorexia usually develops over a period of time at which time the suffer changes their eating patterns. The process can take place over months or even years as every situation is different. The patient begins to enjoy the feelings of hunger and is able to discipline themselves in a way that is very unusual. Even when the anorexic reaches their goal weight, the dieting continues as there is no perfect weight to reach, only the smallest weight possible.

Sufferers will regularly weigh themselves on bathroom scales to determine how well they are doing and becomes obsessed with it. Even when a sufferer is obviously thin, they will be convinced and see themselves as fat and heavy. No matter what others might tell them, they will continue to see themselves as overweight.

The main signs of anorexia are a considerable and rapid weight loss and emaciation resulting from the failure to eat. It’s quite challenging to determine how many people develop and suffer from anorexia. Many people simply do not seek help or when they do, they deny their condition. Men and women are affected by anorexia eating disorders and some experts believe 6 to 10% of all those who suffer from this eating disorder will die.

Fears of Food and Control Issues

The anorexic can become frightened of getting fat and be scared of food itself. The fears of anorexics become so difficult to manage that the sufferer will gradually isolate themselves, avoiding social activities. People who suffer also become more moody and may only want to eat in private.

While anorexia is painful, the disorder gives a great deal to the sufferer. It allows them to feel in control and gives them a sense of power in their life. While many people focus on food and weight, Anorexia is really about much more than that. Anorexia is often covering up a great deal of pain in the anorexic’s life, pain they control by controlling what they eat.

But the control can lead to problems as well in the anorexic’s life. Their starvation makes them physically restless. There is a theory that when our bodies starve, our bodies will create a rather frantic energy so that we can search for food, such as animals do in the wild. This can make the anorexic begin to become even more controlling of their behaviors, trying to make themselves seem as normal as possible to others.

The Effects of Anorexia

Anorexia has many physical dangers as well:

• Hair loss
• Lowered body temperature
• Low blood pressure
• Poor circulation
• Dry skin
• Brittle nails
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Death

In terms of eating disorders, anorexia is tricky as many people celebrate extreme thinness in today’s society. But professional help is needed in order to help an anorexic recover.