Causes of Anorexia

The term “Anorexia” refers to a person with a major eating disorder, which can be due to various factors. The main cause is social pressure of one considering themselves fat. This is a serious eating disorder leading into various health issues like insomnia, osteoporosis, irregular menstrual cycle, poor kidney function, dystrophy, infertility, dry skin, poor immune system and many more to say. Anorexia rates have grown rapidly in the last decade. Research has shown that the media and the fashion industry have contributed to this condition. The pressure placed on individuals through constant images of thin, beautiful people has caused some dieting fads to spiral out of control.

With anorexia nervosa, you have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat despite the fact that you may be underweight. People affected with this eat very small amounts of food or completely refrain from eating anything. Anorexics choose not to eat because of a perceived distortion of their body image. This distortion arises from factors such as past traumatic experiences, stress, and sudden life changes. Signs of anorexia include:

• Perfectionist behaviors
• Weight loss
• Presence of depression or drastic mood changes
• Eating alone
• Avoidance of previously fun activities
• Loss of hair, thin hair
• Constant exercise
• Frequent weighing of one’s self
• Cold
• Wearing baggy clothing
• Moving food around a plate and eating very little of it
• Menstrual dysfunction
• Exhausted, sleepy
• Spending a lot of time alone

Anorexia is a common condition, especially in teenage girls. It is assumed that the condition may be a way of coping with this stressful time in their lives. There are trigger situations that can bring about the condition. These may include the death of a loved one, parents' divorce, problem with partner, peer pressure etc, Anorexia can cause perhaps the most consistently serious medical problems of any psychological disorder. Because anorexia is in part a struggle with food intake, which is obviously necessary for the body to function, the body suffers in many ways.

Rarely are people aware of this problem themselves because this disease is defined by a distorted view of their own body image or weight. A family member or friend must recognize the possibility of a medical or psychiatric problem. A person with anorexia nervosa often resists questioning and is extremely secretive, usually denying any problem and making excuses for weight loss or eating habits. If pressed on the subject, the person may become angry or withdrawn, further complicating attempts by others to help.

If you think a friend or family member has a problem, get that person to a physician, even if she or he strongly resists cooperating. There is no evidence of medications that can cure anorexia. It is best to confront someone whom you suspect has the condition in a caring way. Advice from health professionals is useful in helping the anorexic regain a healthy body and mind.