Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that causes extensive emotional and physical damage. People with this disorder are generally perfectionists with a poor self-esteem and have an obsession for losing weight. In their pursuit of thinness, they often become dangerously emaciated and make themselves vulnerable to all sorts of secondary ailments.
While anorexia usually occurs in young girls and women, the symptoms of anorexia are also seen in men. There are several causes for this disorder, such as an over-interest in following impossible fashion modes, social pressure, familial problems, personality disorders and genetic predisposition. Signs and symptoms of anorexia vary from person to person.
One of the early symptoms of anorexia manifests itself in a person's eating habits and behavior. Anorexic people will keep a close eye on the calories of every foodstuff they purchase. They will go on severely restricted, low-calorie diets although they may already be very thin.
People suffering from anorexia will pore over diet books, visit diet websites and keep a tab on everything they consume. They will avoid eating by skipping meals, throwing away food portions, pretending they have already eaten or saying that they don't feel well enough to eat. They may develop a phobia about eating out or in front of other people.
As a result of food avoidance, the physical symptoms of anorexia become apparent. The person shows a drastic weight loss that is well under the normal and inconsistent with age, build and height. The person may deny having any symptoms of anorexia or try to hide the weight loss and will remain obsessed with losing yet more weight.
Other symptoms of anorexia include muddled thinking and increased irritable or restless behavior. Anorexics may constantly feel lethargic and depressed. They may have trouble sleeping and suffer from fainting fits.
Anorexics may develop a dry and yellowish complexion and purplish bruises under the eyes. The weight loss and malnutrition can lead to amenorrhea, loss of regular menstrual periods, in anorexic girls and women. Both genders can suffer from osteoporosis and tooth decay.
There is a heightened sensitivity to cold and as a result of this the anorexics may develop a condition called lanugo. This is the body growing hair all over to keep from feeling cold. Heart and kidney problems can also result from this disorder. Over time, if steps are not taken to treat the anorexia, there may be further health issues culminating in death.