What Are the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?
Mar 03, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Zhenqin
Introduction
What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
1. **Eating behaviors**: Some individuals may report a good appetite, yet feel full after only a few bites; if forced to eat further, they may experience vomiting.
2. **Psychological manifestations**: They often obsessively analyze the nutritional content and caloric value of foods, and may hide or deliberately waste food.
3. **Physiological manifestations**: Marked weight loss occurs, leading to thinning or sparse hair, or conversely, excessive body hair growth.
Anorexia nervosa—commonly referred to as anorexia—is a chronic eating disorder characterized by persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight. It is most frequently observed among young women. Prolonged anorexia can severely compromise physical health and, in extreme cases, may result in death. So, what are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa? Below is an overview.
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
1. Behavioral (Dietary) Manifestations
Some individuals report normal or even heightened appetite yet feel full after consuming only a few bites and consequently stop eating. If forced to eat further, they may experience nausea or vomiting. Individuals with anorexia often display complete disinterest in food, lack of appetite, and aversion to eating altogether. Although they frequently experience hunger, they deliberately suppress it and refuse food intake. They possess detailed knowledge about nutritional content and intentionally avoid high-calorie foods.
2. Psychological Manifestations
Individuals with anorexia typically exhibit excessive preoccupation with food and an intense fear of gaining weight. Under the influence of these psychological factors, they voluntarily restrict food intake or engage in extreme dieting, resulting in marked weight loss and malnutrition. Despite experiencing hunger, they consciously resist eating. They often meticulously analyze the nutritional value and caloric content of foods and may hide or deliberately waste food.
3. Physiological Manifestations
Many individuals with anorexia experience significant weight loss, edema, and depletion of body fat, leading to cold intolerance and increased sensitivity to cold. Hormonal imbalances commonly occur, resulting in thinning hair or, conversely, excessive body hair growth. Cardiac function deteriorates, manifesting as bradycardia (slow heart rate), hypotension (low blood pressure), and cardiac arrhythmias—potentially culminating in sudden cardiac death or syncope (fainting). In females, amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation) or oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstruation) is common; both males and females frequently experience diminished libido.
The above outlines the primary symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa. We hope this information is helpful to you.
