Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized primarily by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

It is "an intense and irrational fear of body fat and weight gain, an iron determination to become thinner and thinner, and a misperception of body weight and shape to the extent that the person may feel or see "fat" even when emaciation is clear to others. Food, calories, weight, and weight management dominate the person's life."

Facts vs. Myths

MYTH

Being thin will mean being happy.

FACT

Being happy is within you. It is a state of mind you create that is not dependent on anything else. You can be happy regardless of your weight or circumstances.

MYTH

Only good little rich girls become anorexic.

FACT

Although anorexia appears more pronounced in times of plenty, culture is currently preoccupied with thinness and many young women, regardless of their background andstatus, have bought in to this obsession.

Useful Links to other sites about Eating Disorders:

The Center for Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc

Eating Disorder Shared Awareness

MentalHealth.net’s Eating Disorder Page

Mirror Mirror Eating Disorder Shared Awareness

Eating Disorders/Disordered Culture

Symptoms

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (Specifically, remaining at least 15 percent below expected weight or losing 15 percent of expected weight.)

• Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat" even though underweight.

• Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape, undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of low body weight.

• Loss of three consecutive menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty.

• Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, and/or cooking.

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