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Determining Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that many know about but few talk about. It’s a disorder that can be very shameful, and difficult to conquer. Many anorexics may be in denial of their condition, and it can be tough to determine how serious one’s feelings are towards their self image. In this article, we’ll give you a basic idea of what anorexia is and help to explain when you might have a problem with the disorder.

Anorexia is, above all, a form of mental illness. That’s not to say that anorexics are crazy; it simply alludes to the fact that the brain functioning of someone with the disorder is unhealthy. For that reason, it can be very difficult for anorexics to simply stop anorexic behaviors without outside help. To that end, here are some of the things that doctors look for when it comes to diagnosing anorexia. If you think that some of the criteria fit the situation that you are in, you may want to seek outside help for dealing with your nutrition.

Most doctors diagnose anorexia first and foremost by the weight that an individual is. If you are 85 percent or less of your recommended body weight due to a refusal to gain weight, a problem with anorexia might be present. This level of weight is extremely unhealthy, and it can result in serious damage to one’s body. Another thing that doctors look for is a noted fear within the individual when it comes to gaining weight. They may be unnaturally fearful of being overweight, and these signs can really help to determine if one’s obsession with weight is unhealthy. Also, if you tend to deny the fact that your body weight is insufficient, and you have low feelings of self worth, doctors may recommend treatment. Remember, anorexia is a problem that is rooted psychologically, and physically changing behavior patterns alone will not be a sufficient solution. If you feel that you may be facing a problem with anorexia, you should at least give yourself the privilege of speaking with a doctor or an eating disorder counselor about your problem.

If you think that a friend may be anorexic, there are some warning signs that you may be able to note. Those with the disorder will often avoid questions about their weight as well as they can, and may get angry if you try to discuss the issue with them. Also, they may avoid eating in public as to disguise their diet. If you see some of these warning signs, do your best to get your friend to a physician. If you wait too long, the damage that the disorder does to the body can become so severe that it can be tough to recover from them, and the use of an IV may be employed to try to bring your loved one back to health. The danger that eating disorders present are many, so addressing the problem is paramount to keeping your friend in proper health.

Bulimia is another eating disorder that permeates our culture today. As opposed to anorexics, which use dieting techniques and weight-loss pills to a high degree, bulimics find solace in ‘purging’. Bulimic individuals usually eat a large amount of food, then retreat to a bathroom in order to regurgitate, or ‘purge’ the food from their system, causing them to lose the nutritional value and calories that the food they consume offers. The use of laxatives may also be employed by bulimics, causing a case of diarrhea and eliminating the nutritional value that they receive. You may be able to see warning signs for bulimia if an individual binges upon foods that are high in fat and sweets, engorging as much food as possible, then retiring to the bathroom in order to purge the foods. Poor self image is also a leading reason why people may become bulimic, and it’s an important thing to note when considering the health of a friend or family member.


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