Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a brain disease with severe metabolic effects on the entire body. Eating disorders do not discriminate based on ethnicity, culture, gender, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, body weight, shape, or size.

SYMPTOMS/WARNING SIGNS

Intense fear of weight gain
Resistant to maintain a healthy body weight
Body image distortion
May purge caloric intake using compensatory mechanisms
Restricting energy intake
Denial of the seriousness of low body weight
Isolation
Excuses for not eating
Preoccupation with food, weight, calories
Rituals
Thin, dull, dry hair, skin and nails
Inability to tolerate cold temperatures
Difficulty sleeping

SUB-TYPES

Restricting Type: Individuals maintain low body weight by significantly limiting their food intake

Binge-eating/Purging Type: Individuals restrict their food intake and routinely engage in binge-eating and/or purging behaviors