Anorexia Nervosa- An Eating Disorder
Hello Readers… This time I am up some interesting yet serious topic to discuss with you all. Good to see that 2019 has made many of us aware of our health which made us work on our health and lifestyle habits, which is a full proof that you all are connected with us, and working on your Health Goals on daily basis. With this growing awareness, about healthy eating, calorie counting, I got acquaintances of few people who are overindulging in “Dieting”, and since excess of everything is bad, I am here to make you aware of ANOREXIA NERVOSA- An eating disorder.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
This eating disorder, often called Nervosa, is characterized by low body weight, fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight. This means, that despite having normal body weight, these people feel that they are overweight, or even if they will eat a bit extra, they feel that they will suddenly gain weight, so they prefer being on a very low-calorie diet, prefer restricted foods, focusing excessively on the portion they eat. They also try to control their weight by vomiting after eating or misusing laxatives, diet aids, diuretics or even enemas. At times, they also try to lose weight by excessive exercising just post consuming meals.
Nervosa is not about calorie counting, it is more about one’s a psychological aspect which can be extremely dangerous or even life-threatening to try to cope up with emotional distress. Anorexic people often tend to equate thinness with self-worth.
Symptoms:
The most evident physical symptom of Nervosa is Starvation, and let us not confuse it with conscious eating. Apart from it, it also includes some emotional and behavioral issues which include unrealistic perception of one’s own body in terms of being fat or fear of gaining weight.
It is difficult to notice the sign and symptoms among the people, but there are few alarming signs which can be noticed by near and dear ones like low body weight, or thin appearance, abnormal blood counts, fatigue, dizziness, and insomnia, thinning of hair, blue discoloration of fingers, irregular bowel movements, irregular heart rhythms, and dehydration.
Also, some emotional and behavioral symptoms would include:
a. Skipping meals or refusing to eat
b. Making excuses like denial for hunger, or unwell
c. Avoiding to eat in public
d. Social withdrawal
e. Irritability and Insomnia
Diagnosis:
Though it is difficult to diagnose Anorexia at an early stage, the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA’s) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has set diagnosis criteria for people prone to being Anorexic.
a. Restricted calorie intake as per the requirement of the body in terms of age, height, gender, and physical health.
b. The misconception of being overweight, despite being actually underweight.
c. A full medical history can also help to reach the outcome
Treatment and Recovery:
Treatment shall include some medications, nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and family counseling as well which would depend on one’s level of being anorexic. Generally, people refuse to accept that they fall in the category, but a proper counseling session can help one recover soon.
It is no harm in Being Picky about putting food in your mouth, but this shall be done in certain limits by working on calorie counting, or choosing the healthiest option and not in excessive fear to gain weight. The body needs fuel as well to work its system out. The correct way to lose weight is by eating healthy and exercising regularly, and not “DIETING”. Long term Nervosa can lead to serious medical issues like low bone density, anemia, or some gastrointestinal issues as well.
So, if you feel any such symptoms, or you know someone prone to it, do share the article with them, and we at BALANCE THE PLATE are always there to help you recover in whatever best way possible.
