Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that can lead to extreme weight loss and can be potentially life-threatening. Sufferers of Anorexia nervosa struggle with a distorted body image and weight loss/gain. Not all signs of the disorder are physically obvious. However, there are several ways to detect if someone you love is experiencing Anorexia nervosa. Here’s what to look for:
Weight obsession
- Consistently discussing their weight through self-evaluation rituals or unnecessarily dieting to achieve their “ideal weight.”
Hunger denial
- Repeatedly denies hunger urges in conjunction with minimal food intake.
Cardio focus
- Regularly performs cardio exercises in order to “burn off excessive calories” alongside minimal food intake.
Lack of energy
- Easily winded and tires quickly when performing mundane daily tasks, such as climbing stairs.
Eating disorders may exist even when these four signs are not apparent. Watch for changes in
energy levels, physical body shape, mood shifts, and excuses when regarding food intake and
consumption.
When the body is deprived of its vital nutrients, the results could be deadly. The body enters starvation mode and halts normal organ functioning to conserve the necessary energy and nutrients the body needs to survive. Normal organ functioning can be disrupted, including brain function, and the sufferer is at risk of cardiac arrest and even death.
