What is Anorexia Nervosa?

It’s important to know that everyone will not have the same symptoms. Some people will have a mix of symptoms and you do not need to have all these symptoms to have an eating disorder.

‘Anorexia nervosa’ means ‘loss of appetite for nervous reasons’ but this is misleading because in reality you have lost the ability to allow yourself to satisfy your appetite. You probably restrict the amount you eat and drink, sometimes to a dangerous level. You may exercise to burn off what you perceive to be excess calories. You focus on food in an attempt to cope with life, not to starve yourself to death. It is a way of demonstrating that you are in control of your body weight and shape. Ultimately, however, the disorder itself takes control and the chemical changes in the body affect the brain and distort thinking, making it almost impossible for you to make rational decisions about food. As the illness progresses, you will suffer from the exhaustion of starvation. Occasionally people die from the effects of anorexia, especially if it is untreated.

The effects of anorexia on your body

• In adults, extreme weight loss; in children and teenagers, poor or inadequate weight gain in relation to their growth or substantial weight loss.
• Constipation and abdominal pains
• Dizzy spells and feeling faint
• Bloated stomach, puffy face and ankles
• Downy hair on the body; occasionally loss of hair on the head when recovering
• Poor blood circulation and feeling cold
• Dry, rough, or discoloured skin
• Loss of ‘periods’, loss of interest in sex
• Loss of bone mass and eventually osteoporosis (brittle bones)

Psychological signs of anorexia

• Intense fear of gaining weight and obsessive interest in what others are eating
• Distorted perception of body shape or weight
• Denial of the existence of a problem
• Changes in personality and mood swings
• Becoming aware of an ‘inner voice’ that challenges your views on eating and exercise

Behavioural signs in anorexia

• Rigid or obsessional behaviour attached to eating, such as cutting food into tiny pieces
• Mood swings
• Restlessness and hyperactivity
• Wearing big baggy clothes
• Vomiting; taking laxatives

The long-term effects of anorexia

The long-term effects of anorexia on the body and mind can be alarming and severe. Women with anorexia tend to find it more difficult to become pregnant and may develop infertility in the long term. Fortunately, many of these effects can be reduced - once the body receives proper and regular nourishment. For both men and women there is a high likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

Once you are on the path to recovery, it can take some weeks or months for the body and mind to re-adjust. Eating and drinking regularly can cause your body to become bloated temporarily. On one hand you may experience enormous hunger whilst on the other, weight gain can seem an alarming prospect. Dealing with the expectations of others around you can also be stressful. Personality and mood swings can also take a while to settle, depending on the emotional difficulties that you may be facing.

Anorexia and the family

Anorexia not only affects the person with the disorder - the whole family is affected. Each family is different but some common trends have been identified. People who develop anorexia have often been compliant and obedient children. They would be less likely to become angry than their brothers or sisters and would have been eager to please. They have often hidden their inner feelings and anxieties. They may fear failure and have an overwhelming desire to please and care for others. They are committed to achieving high standards set - or that they assume have been set - by parents or teachers, whereas often these high standards are self-imposed.

Some families are so close and loving that the child finds it difficult to become independent. They may be fearful that they cannot manage on their own away from the family, or feel under pressure to remain within the family regardless of their own feelings.

Anorexia represents an attempt to demonstrate independence through control over food and eating. It is also very difficult for many people to understand that although food is an important issue, an eating disorder is actually all about feelings and emotions. This can lead to frustration and misunderstanding. Many carers find themselves saying in frustration something along the lines of ‘Why don’t they just eat?’

Many families also find that the person with an eating disorder becomes the centre of attention which can seriously affect relationships between brothers and sisters, parents, relatives and carers.

Where to go for help

You can visit our Help & Support section, which contains details of how to contact our helplines by telephone and e-mail. Our HelpFinder directory contains listings of support in your local area.

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