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Anorexia

Recognising anorexia and the effects it has on a person.

Article by : SpunOut.ie
  • Anorexia Nervosa can affect anyone but is most usual in teenage girls and women in their early twenties. However, it’s becoming more common in boys and other age groups.
  • If you have anorexia you are trying to reach and then keep a body weight lower than what’s normal for your age, sex and height. 
  • Maybe you are very concerned about losing weight and frightened of getting fat;you over exercise to keep your weight down or you sometimes binge (eating a lot of food in one go) or purge (making yourself vomit, taking laxatives or diuretics). 
  • People with anorexia often go on to develop bulimia.  
  • People with anorexia often eat very little and think constantly about food or the calories in what they eat. 
  • You might be very thin but see yourself as overweight.

What happens if I have anorexia?

  • You might become obsessive about food and feel very frightened about putting on weight.
     
  • You might have mood swings and feel down a lot.
     
  • You can have stomach pains, constipation, dizziness, a bloated stomach or puffy face and ankles.
     
  • If you lose a lot of weight your body hair becomes thicker. It’s the body’s way of trying to stay warm.
     
  • You might stop having periods.
     
  • You might feel cold often and have poor blood circulation.
     
  • Your skin can become dry, rough or discoloured.
     
  • Eventually you can get osteoporosis which means brittle bones.
     
  • Women with anorexia will find it more difficult to become pregnant and risk infertility in the long term.

What is the treatment of Anorexia?

The aim of treatment is to restore and maintain an adequate weight and to establish a regular eating habit. This will depend to some extent on the severity of the weight loss and the presence of physical symptoms and complications. The person concerned may need hospitalisation, particularly if there has been significant weight loss, if there are serious complications, if the individual is also depressed or if out-patient treatment has failed.

  • The aim of treatment is to restore and maintain an adequate weight and to establish a regular eating habit.
  • Medication is not used very often.
  • Education about the nature of Anorexia and about healthy eating habits is a very important part of treatment.
  • Psychological Interventions such as Individual Psychotherapy ('talking therapy') and Family Therapy are the main forms of treatment.
  • In Individual Psychotherapy the person with Anorexia is encouraged to talk about personal difficulties and any other issues that may have a role in causing or maintaining the eating disorder.
  • Support from family and friends is very important in helping the individual to make progress.

Bodywhys is an organisation that provides information, support and advice to those with eating disorders and their families. Call their helpline on Lo Call 1890 200 444.

See the help section for supportive information and contacts details of support organisations.

Some content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors

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