Anorexia nervosa, commonly called anorexia. This is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight.
People suffering from anorexia consume very restrictive quantities of food, which leads to starvation.
Eventually, they can become dangerously thin and malnourished, yet still perceive themselves as overweight.
Frequently, people with anorexia become so undernourished that they have to be hospitalized. Even then, they deny that anything is wrong with them.
Anorexia usually develops during puberty. Nine out of 10 people with anorexia are female and about 1 percent of U.S. females between ages 10 and 25 is anorexic.
There are two subtypes of anorexia: One type is linked to a different type of eating disorder called bulimia, which is characterized by ”bingeing and purging” a person eats and then deliberately vomits.
The other subtype manifests itself through severe restriction of food and calories.
Subdivisions of Anorexia
People can be considered anorexic when they restrict intake of food if it leads to severe low body weight, which is often followed by an intense fear of gaining weight and an excessive concern with body weight and shape.
Two Subdivisions of Anorexia
To become anorexic, you should be able to know that there are two subdivisions of anorexia.
The first type of eating disorder called bulimia. It is a case where a person eats but then deliberately vomits the food. Deliberate purging can recognize it.
With bulimia, the person eats large amounts of food without control over the food and then purges to get rid of extra calories.
To get rid of calories and prevent weight gain, people with bulimia, for example, may regularly self-induce vomiting or misuse laxatives, weight-loss supplements, diuretics, or enemas after bingeing.
They may also use other methods of abuse, such as fasting, strict dieting, or excessive exercise.
Severe restriction of food and calories is recognized as the second type of eating disorder.
How to Become Anorexic
Before you know the way of becoming anorexic, it would be best to know some basics about anorexic.
If someone is anorexic, that means he/she has some eating disorders known as anorexia nervosa, where one believes they are extremely fast, while actually, it is the opposite.
1. A Lifetime Meal Plan
When eating, it is important to stop when the hunger is no longer felt. This might sound like a simple statement, but many people wanting to lose weight have difficulty recognizing their natural hunger.
Substituting food to satisfy emotional hunger and feelings is absolutely wrong and is especially devastating when trying to learn how to become anorexic, so train yourself to be emotionally strong and to not give in.
2. Five Bite Weight Reduction Plan
This is the best way for losing weight and a good diet for those who want to become anorexic.
The plan involves simply taking five bites of food at breakfast, five bites at lunch, and the same at supper time, and the best thing about this is that there is no restriction on the type of food to be used.
The rest of the time, you can use any drinks that you feel comfortable with as long as they do not contain any calories.
It is recommended that when on this five bite weight reduction plan, vitamin supplements, and protein foods are essential.
3. Air Weight Loss Plan
This is the second most effective way of becoming anorexic. The procedure here is simply avoiding solid foods. Just take snacks, fresh air, soup, water and such like. Avoid calorie foods.
4. Baby Food Weight-Loss Diet
This plan involves the use of baby food, especially nutritious foods and those specifically designed for the young babies. It is effective when you use excess of these food stuffs so that you avoid feeling hungry.
5. Staying Busy
One of the most effective ways to facilitate satisfying and lasting anorexic body is through being busy.
People who are determined to lose substantial amount of body fat are motivated by more than just good exercise and disciplined menu.
Some are obsessive about the weight loss benefits of burning calories.
Others develop a phobia about fat and spend an inordinate amount of time checking themselves in the mirror.
This is when jobs that involve physical activities such as lifting, movements and travel become enormously useful.
What Causes Anorexia Nervosa?
Presently, there is no singular factor that has been known to cause anorexia nervosa. Typically, it involves a complicated interaction of different biological, psychological, and social causes.
But recently, healthcare practitioners have agreed that genetics has a role in the development of anorexia. Stating that one may have an increased chance of being anorexic if his parents are suffering from the condition.
Besides the mentioned, there is also the psychological and emotional factors that can cause self-imposed starvation. Also, personality traits make it easier for some people to follow rather excessively strict diet plans.
Cultural factors and influences may also play a role in the development of anorexia nervosa, especially as the modern world fancy thin women as we see in magazines, billboards, and television.
Treating Anorexia
Treatment for anorexia nervosa usually involves a multifaceted approach to the condition. It entails effectively combining psychological therapy and supervising gaining the weight back safely.
It is vital for anorexia patients to start treatment as early as possible. Being proactive and doing something early on can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.
Treating anorexia entails bringing in a team of doctors and specialists to help bring the patient back to their ideal health.
For instance, you will need to have a counselor specializing in anorexia cases to help the patient through the entire process.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are there to properly assess the psychological well-being of the patient and to dig deeper into the issues that fueled the condition.
Finally, the treatment will not be completed without a host of nurses and dietitians to ensure that the patient is getting every bit of nutrition and care they need.
The treatment plan itself can vary between cases, as circumstances will inevitably vary.
That is why it is vital that members of this multidisciplinary care team carry out a detailed assessment of the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient before actual treatment starts.
Which Gender Does Anorexia Affect Most?
Studies show that Anorexia most often develops among young women in their teenage years.
Also, there is an increasing report for symptoms of both this disorder and other eating disorders like EDNOS in pre-teen girls and boys as well.
Anorexia usually develops during puberty.
Often times, these people already have genetic, emotional, and life-experience predispositions for the condition to thrive in.
What are the Complications that May Arise from Being Anorexic?
Anorexia has many complications. At the extreme, it may cause death.
This may result from abnormal heart rhythms or an imbalance of electrolytes and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium that maintain the balance of fluids in your body.
Other complications may include:
1. Anemia
2. Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms, or heart failure
3. Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures
4. Loss of muscle
5. In females, seize in menstrual flow
6. In males, decreased testosterone
7. Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea
8. Kidney problems
9. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders
10. Personality disorders
11. Obsessive-compulsive disorders
12. Alcohol and substance abuse
13. Self-injury, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts
Being anorexic is not a death verdict, rather, it can lead to death if not properly fared. Read through this guide to avoid any of these signs and causes to be anorexia nervosa free.
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