3 Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Reviewed By: Nicole Cauchois, LCPC, LADC
Written By: Daniel Mark Hipp
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa literally translates into “nervous loss of appetite”. This is a misnomer since appetite is suppressed, not lost for anorexia nervosa patients.
“In anorexia nervosa, the person eats nothing beyond minimal amounts of food, so body weight sometimes drops dangerously” (Durand & Barlow, 2016).
An individual with anorexia nervosa has an extreme desire to achieve being thin.
Eating Disorders are the Deadliest Classification of Psychiatric Conditions
Did you know that eating disorders, including anorexia, are the deadliest classification of psychiatric disorders? According to Millar et al., “up to 20% [of anorexia nervosa patients] die as a result of their disorder” (2005; Durand & Barlow, 2016).
Of the deaths related to anorexia, “20 to 30% … are suicides” (Arcelus et al., 2011; Durand & Barlow, 2016).
The best way to prevent death is to be proactive and to seek treatment for yourself or loved ones. In order to seek treatment, you have to be able to identify the signs of anorexia nervosa.
3 Core Features of Anorexia Nervosa
The 5th text revision edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders identifies 3 core features of anorexia nervosa.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, you should consult The Healing Center or a qualified mental health professional immediately.
**If you require higher levels of care beyond individual counseling, you should enroll in an eating disorder treatment clinic. Here is a link for Las Vegas Eating Disorder Clinics.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab/nv/las-vegas?category=eating-disorders
“Features of anorexia nervosa include the following:
1. Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.
2. Intense fear of gaining weight, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, even though at a significantly low weight.
3. Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Restricting Subtype of Anorexia Nervosa
There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa.
Restricting type refers to attempting to achieve the extreme minimum calorie consumption necessary to live. Patients with this subtype go to all lengths possible in order to avoid eating. The lack of calorie consumption can eventually lead to negative brain growth due to the extreme deficit.
Binge-eating/Purging Subtype of Anorexia Nervosa
Binge-eating/purging type refers to cyclical engagement of binging and purging. That is to say that the the individual expresses their attempts at achieving weight loss through eating a lot in a short period of time while making up for it via vomiting, diuretic/laxative usage, and extreme lengths of exercise.
The core differentiation of the binge-eating purging subtype and bulimia nervosa is that “binge on relatively small amounts of food and purge more consistently [than bulimia nervosa patients]” (Durand & Barlow, 2016).
Origins of Anorexia Nervosa
“More than 90% of the severe cases are young females who live in a socially competitive environment” (Durand & Barlow, 2016). The largest contributing factor to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa appear to be “sociocultural” rather than the traditional reasons for mental illness.
Effects of Extended Periods of Starvation
They really aren’t eating enough calories necessary to function properly. A better description is just enough not to die.
The body begins to compensate by growing extra body hair known as lanugo. Calories are literal heat, and these patients do not eat enough to sustain adequate body temperatures.
The longer that an anorexia nervosa patient is left untreated, the harder it will be to provide intervention in the future. As a result of the extreme deficit in calories, the brain will experience shrinkage.
It becomes more difficult for the patient to make proper decisions for themselves regarding their health due to the brain atrophying. As time goes on, the patient’s sense of self and memories are impaired in response to the brain’s extended periods of starvation.
Treatment Options for Anorexia Nervosa
No psychiatric medications have been found to be effective in the treatment of anorexia nervosa at the time of this writing. Psychiatric medications may be beneficial if the Anorexia is co-occurring with another psychiatric disorder.
Both outpatient and inpatient treatments have been found to be effective. Where treatment should start depends on how underweight the patient is. The more severely underweight, the greater need there is for inpatient treatment in order to rapidly restore normal weight.
The first goal of treatment is to achieve a normal range of weight. Without doing so, it is dangerous for the patient since they are left at risk for acute cardiac arrest, gray matter death in the brain, and dysregulation of hormonal balance.
Patients often do not have issues putting on weight at the beginning of treatment. Early stage weight gain is not a predictor for long term success in treatment however.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) is a variation of traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted specifically for eating disorders.
In the case of anorexia nervosa, CBT-E is directed at treating the patient’s underlying maladaptive beliefs that allowed for the development of their fear of gaining weight. If this is not addressed, the patient is sure to relapse when life feels like it is too overwhelming for them.
The Healing Center
The Healing Center in Las Vegas provides tailored mental health services facilitated by a team proficient in addressing diverse cultural backgrounds. Certified therapists deliver in-person or remote sessions, aiming to reduce stigma and foster a mentally healthy community. Our Boutique Psychotherapy Center employs spiritually attuned counselors, employing various techniques to reconnect individuals with their inner selves and foster self-worth.
With holistic approaches, these therapists equip patients with strategies to navigate life's crises effectively.
For further information on their therapies or to schedule a consultation, please visit The Healing Center's website at https://www.thehealingcentervegas.com/.
Contact The Healing Center via phone (702)505-1280 or email TheHealingCenterOperations@gmail.com.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th. ed., text rev. ). Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787