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Women's Mental Health

Drawing of a very skinny woman looking in the mirror and seeing an overweight woman.Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia, is a type of eating disorder that mainly affects adolescent girls and young women. A person with this disease has an intense fear of gaining weight and limits the food she eats. She:

  • has a low body weight
  • refuses to keep a normal body weight
  • is extremely afraid of becoming fat
  • believes she is fat even when she's very thin
  • misses three (menstrual) periods in a row (for girls/women who have started having their periods)

Anorexia affects your health because it can damage many parts of your body. A person with anorexia will have many of these signs:

  • loses a lot of weight
  • talks about weight and food all the time
  • moves food around the plate; doesn't eat it
  • weighs food and counts calories
  • follows a strict diet
  • fears gaining weight
  • won't eat in front of others
  • ignores/denies hunger
  • uses extreme measures to lose weight (self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic abuse, diet pills, fasting, excessive exercise)
  • thinks she's fat when she's too thin
  • gets sick a lot
  • weighs self several times a day
  • acts moody
  • feels depressed
  • feels irritable
  • doesn't socialize
  • wears baggy clothes to hide appearance

The good news is that people with this disease can get better. The treatment depends on what the person needs, but the person must get back to a healthy weight.

Additional Resources

Publications

  1. Federal resource  Eating Disorders — This detailed booklet describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.

    http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml

  2. Federal resource  Fact Sheet — Anorexia Nervosa — This fact sheet offers information about anorexia nervosa. It gives the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, and the effects it has on the body. It also provides information for pregnant women.

    http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/anorexia-nervosa.cfm

  3. Federal resource  What People With Anorexia Nervosa Need to Know About Osteoporosis — Anorexia nervosa has significant physical consequences. Affected individuals can experience nutritional and hormonal problems that negatively impact bone density. This fact sheet discusses osteoporosis management strategies in individuals who have anorexia.

    http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/anorexia_nervosa.asp...

  4. A Brief Overview of Therapies Used in the Treatment of Eating Disorders (Copyright © ANAD) — Psychotherapy can be an effective way of treating eating disorders. This fact sheet provides an overview of each type of psychotherapy commonly used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.

    http://www.anad.org/getInformation/Informationabouttreatment/

  5. ANAD Eating Disorder Support Groups (Copyright © ANAD) — If you have an eating disorder, this Web page will help you locate a support group in your area.

    http://www.anad.org/getHelp/findsupportgroup/

  6. Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © Helpguide.org) — This fact sheet describes the signs, symptoms, causes, effects, and treatment for the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm

  7. Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — This Web site provides information about anorexia nervosa, including risk factors, symptoms, treatment, coping skills, and self-help.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorexia/DS00606

  8. Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © NAMI) — This fact sheet discusses anorexia nervosa. It includes the symptoms, prevalence, causes, treatment options and other important information.

    http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&...

  9. Anorexia Nervosa (Copyright © NEDA) — This fact sheet describes the primary symptoms as well as the warning signs of anorexia nervosa. It lists health consequences and statistics about anorexia nervosa.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=321&Profile_ID=41142

  10. PDF file  How to Afford Appropriate Treatment for an Eating Disorder: A Guide for Patients & Their Families (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) — This publication provides detailed information on where to find appropriate treatment, how to find out if it is covered by insurance, what to do if it isn't, and where to get financial assistance for eating disorder treatment.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/Eating%20Disorders%20Survival%20G...

  11. PDF file  Pregnancy & Eating Disorders: Facts About the Risks (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) — This publication discusses the risks of having an eating disorder during pregnancy, including an explanation of how it can affect both the baby and mother. It also provides information on what to do if you become pregnant.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Pregnant.pdf...

Organizations

  1. Federal resource  National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
  2. Federal resource  National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
  3. Federal resource  National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
  4. Federal resource  Nutrition.Gov
  5. Federal resource  Weight-Control Information Network, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
  6. Academy for Eating Disorders
  7. American Dietetic Association
  8. Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST)
  9. National Alliance on Mental Illness
  10. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
  11. National Eating Disorders Association

Federal resource = Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated April 30, 2008.

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