By Preeti (Rajpreet Taneja) Taneja, R.S.W, M.S.W, B.S.W
Founder and Lead Therapist, Canadian Therapy
Preeti@canadiantherapy.com
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), Anorexia Nervosa affects roughly one percent of the adult population in the United States. Although the condition is treatable, it is very serious and can be fatal. The NIMH suggests that up to 10% of those with the disorder may die from complications. But according to the Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, up to 20% of anorexics will die from the condition. Because of the serious nature of Anorexia, it is incredibly important to recognize the warning signs. The following are some of the physical, behavioral, and emotional warning signs associated with Anorexia Nervosa: Physical Signs Anorexia is an eating disorder whereby a person does not eat enough calories or nutrients to sustain proper health. Some physical signs of anorexia may only be present in serious disease cases. It is also important to mention that some of these signs are also symptoms of other medical conditions, so be sure your loved one is assessed by a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis:
Abdominal pain
Anemic (bruises easily)
Brittle nails
Cold hands and feet
Constipation
Dry and thinning hair
Severe dehydration
Hair loss on scalp
Lightheadedness or loss of balance
Loss in bone density
Loss of menstrual period
Low blood pressure and heart rate
Muscle loss and weakness
Significantly low body weight
Behavioral Symptoms In hindsight by many loved ones, behavioral signs of Anorexia manifest before the physical signs:
Complaints of stomach upset
Cooking for others but never eating what is cooked
Denial of hunger
A compulsion to exercise
Extreme perfectionism
Fatigue
Wearing warmer clothing, even when it is hot out
Hiding foods to avoid eating them
Strange eating habits or food rituals
A fear of gaining weight or being fat, even when weight is clearly being lost
Weighing themselves frequently
Withdrawal from friends and family
Emotional Symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem is determined by appearance
Easily irritated
Extremely self-critical
Little motivation to engage in relationships or activities
Strong need for approval
If, after reading these warning signs, you are concerned your friend or loved one may be developing Anorexia, they must seek treatment before the condition becomes serious and deadly. Seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare professional is the first step to physical recovery.
Once proper nutrition has been established, you or your loved one must seek guidance from a mental health professional to get to the root cause of the disorder. If you are interested in treatment options, please visit our website to book an appointment with a date and time that works for you. I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help, and I do offer online therapy for those who feel more comfortable accessing help from home. ↓ https://www.canadiantherapy.com/book-online
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