Anorexia Nervosa

Definition:

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and severe restriction of food intake leading to significant weight loss.

Causes:

• Psychological factors (low self-esteem, perfectionism)
• Sociocultural pressure (idealization of thinness)
• Genetic and biological influences

Symptoms:

• Extreme weight loss
• Preoccupation with food, dieting, and body image
• Refusal to maintain a healthy body weight
• Amenorrhea (in females)
• Fatigue, dizziness, hair thinning, dry skin

Complications:

• Malnutrition
• Heart problems
• Bone loss
• Organ failure
• Death in severe cases

Diagnosis:

• Based on physical exams, psychological evaluation, and BMI below 17.5
• May involve lab tests to check for organ function and nutritional deficiencies

Treatment:

• Nutritional rehabilitation
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• Medication (in some cases, antidepressants)