Where is anorexia found

Sometimes the first signs and symptoms develop at a much younger age. I was your typical, awkward preteen. Chubby, braces, glasses, acne and a sweet, yet painfully shy, personality. I was self-conscious about everything, including my weight. Many changes occur in our bodies during adolescence. These changes can be very difficult for some youth. Sometimes, those who are dissatisfied with their bodies will turn to disordered eating.

However, there are many risk factors for eating disorders, and not everyone who is unhappy with their body will develop an eating disorder. Most eating disorders are much more common in women and girls than in men and boys. Girls in their teens are most likely to develop an eating disorder, but boys and men are also affected. In fact, one in every four children diagnosed with anorexia nervosa is a boy.

Bulimia nervosa is diagnosed more often in females, but similar numbers of males and females are diagnosed with binge-eating disorder. Males also have some specific risk factors, including:. If you think you, or someone you know, may have an eating disorder, it is important to seek medical help and get a professional assessment and diagnosis. The DSM which contains sets of diagnostic criteria symptoms being experienced grouped into categories disorders to assist clinicians with the effective diagnoses and care of people with mental health disorders.

There are several diagnostic criteria manuals used worldwide, but the DSM is the one used most commonly in Australia. This matching process will help them to decide whether the individual meets the diagnosis for a mental health disorder. This diagnostic information can then be passed on to clinicians, who will be treating the individual, such as a psychologist or dietitian. In some ways, the DSM criteria are a form of shorthand for health professionals to briefly summarise what problems a person is experiencing.

This information is then used to assist the treating clinician in selecting the treatments with the best evidence for good outcomes that are associated with the disorder symptoms.

Eating disorders can affect anyone, and the signs and symptoms are different for everyone. Understanding what is likely to happen at your appointment can help ease your anxiety.

Eating disorders do not have a single, identifiable cause. There are psychological, physiological and social risk factors that may increase the likelihood of an eating disorder developing, as well as behaviours and traits that can be changed. Scientists are currently researching possible biochemical and biological factors and their role in the development of eating disorders.

Research has indicated that in some people with eating disorders, there is an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Genetic or familial factors, for example a person who is exposed to a parent or sibling with an eating disorder, is at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder themselves.

While no conclusive outcome has been reached, research has provided evidence that in some cases this is due to genetic predisposition, rather than learned behaviour. Weight-loss and fad diets involve restricting food intake to levels that often leave a person constantly hungry and in some cases, lacking the necessary nutrients they need to maintain physical health and energy levels. The restrictive nature of dieting does not work, as fad diets do not provide a sustainable meal plan for the long term.

Low self-esteem is a central theme in the development of an eating disorder, and it often manifests as a critical voice that creates and feeds perceptions of poor body image.

Perfectionism goes beyond setting personal goals and doing your best. People with perfectionist traits set extremely high standards that are unrealistic, and feel distressed when they fail to meet these impossible standards. They may strive for perfection in their academic or work performance, morality, relationships, cleanliness and order, or dieting, exercise, body weight or shape.

Perfectionism is a common personality trait in people with an eating disorder, who may feel the need to maintain complete control over their weight. Body image refers to how a person perceives, thinks and feels about their body and appearance. As already noted, many people with eating disorders may also have anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive traits.

There may be a link between anorexia nervosa and these other disorders. For example. The first line of treatment for Anorexia nervosa is food. Improving nutrition alone often improves depression, although anxiety may increase initially. Because eating disorders tend to run in families, and female relatives are the most often affected, genetic factors are believed to play a role in the disorders.

But, other influences, both behavioral and environmental, may also play a role. Consider these facts from the National Institute of Mental Health:. Preventive measures to reduce the incidence of anorexia nervosa are not known at this time.

However, early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, enhance the individual's normal growth and development, and improve the quality of life experienced by persons with anorexia nervosa.

Decreasing emphasis on weight and focusing on the balance between energy input and output can be useful. Moreover, having healthy adult role models who do not talk about body shape or size, dieting, fat, or losing weight is helpful. Also, encouraging healthy eating habits and realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be an effective preventative measure. What is Anorexia Nervosa? What Causes Anorexia Nervosa? Who is Affected by Anorexia Nervosa? What are the Different Types of Anorexia Nervosa?

There are two subgroups of behavior aimed at reducing caloric intake, including the following: restrictive type - severely limits the intake of food and usually compulsively over-exercises.

What are the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa? The following are the most common symptoms of anorexia nervosa. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

How is Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosed? Possible Complications of Anorexia Nervosa Medical complications are common in anorexia nervosa. The short-term complications include, but are not limited to, the following: Heart As a muscle, the heart is affected by both poor nutrition and exercise. In addition, the control mechanisms for the speed and regularity of the heartbeat are located in the central part of the brain.

With prolonged low weight over several years, the heart muscle can eventually give out, causing death. Paradoxically, starvation can be associated with deposits of fat in the liver. Full, bloated feeling after eating a small meal Feeling that the food does not empty from the Constipation due to loss of muscle in the gastrointestinal track Inflammation of the liver due to fatty deposits with starvation Kidney Dehydration associated with anorexia results in highly concentrated urine.

Increased urine production may also develop in patients when the kidneys ability to concentrate urine decreases. Hormones Absence of the menstrual cycle is one of the hallmark symptoms of anorexia nervosa, and may precede significant weight loss..