Psychologists refer to anorexia nervosa as anorexia informally. Anorexia caused by certain physiological diseases should not be confused with anorexia nervosa, though.
Rarely eating is a behavior associated with anorexia nervosa. This indicates that the anorexic person has a strong motivation not to eat. According to statistical studies (Massé, Weil), this disease primarily affects females between the ages of 12 and 20. One anorexic boy for every ten anorexic girls.
What exactly is anorexia?
This illness, which is a subset of eating disorders, is the outward manifestation of an internal conflict. In fact, the body as a whole or only certain organs are affected by the fear of being obsessed with not gaining weight (eg, legs or abdomen).
Another way to describe anorexia nervosa is as a pathology of body image. Even though he is not overweight, the person is certain of it. This can even extend to obstinately denying weight loss brought on by food refusal. Even the image of oneself in the mirror is distorted by anorexia; the sufferer sees a thin body as an obese one that he must get rid of at all costs.
We can see that a person’s weight and self-esteem are linked in anorexia cases. The anorexic is more content with his or her state of affairs the lower the weight.
Are Bulimia and Anorexia Systematically Related?
Anorexia nervosa comes in two varieties: The restrictive type of anorexia significantly reduces feeding and doesn’t go through vomiting bulimia episodes. On the other hand, the bulimia patient attempts to swallow three meals at once. Bulimia-related anorexia falls under the category of anorexia with ongoing nausea or vomiting episodes. In addition to his severe eating restrictions, he also used drugs like laxatives, diuretics, and enemas.
How to Recognize an Anorexic Person
To determine whether a person is anorexic, there is a procedure called “3A.”
However, it is important to rule out any other psychological pathologies before discussing anorexia.
What is “A”?
1) Overweight: Significant weight loss can occur, reaching 50% of starting weight. Some anorexic girls have been noted to only weigh between 20 and 30 kg.
2) Anorexia: There is a clear trend toward food restriction. Typically, it begins by picking first, i.e., avoiding only particular foods, and then gradually expands to include all foods.
3. Amenorrhea: The absence of menstruation for at least three months even when the woman is not pregnant.
The 3A method by itself, however, is insufficient for a thorough diagnosis. When anorexia is suspected, speaking with a doctor or psychologist can be beneficial.
Regaining a healthy weight, treating underlying psychological issues, and addressing the circumstances that are feeding the problem are all parts of treating anorexia. Medication can be used to treat depression or anxiety, even though it may not be very effective for weight gain. Maudsley family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are two examples of the various types of therapy. The patient may occasionally need to stay in the hospital to put on weight. The advantages of nasogastric tube feeding, however, are not entirely clear.
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