Although men can struggle with this condition, the fact remains that nearly 95% of cases are still women. Anorexia usually manifest during adolescence but can be seen in younger children and older adults, even senior citizens. The disease is most common in industrialized, wealthy countries such as the United States. Caucasians are more likely to be anorexics than those of other racial groups and the condition is more common in the middle and upper class.

The causes of anorexia nervosa appear to be very complicated; however, the main reason cited seems to be outside or societal pressures related to thinness. Often there are found to be family dysfunctions related to body image. Maybe the parents push the child to be thin or the family is very interdependent so that it is difficulty for one to find his or her own identity within the familial structure.

There may even be a genetic component to the condition, but research is currently inconclusive on that front. Of course, it has been discovered that girls with a mother or a sister who had the condition are more likely to develop it. This could be from environmental factors as well. Hormones related to puberty and emitted by the hypothalamus in the brain may help to create the condition in those predisposed to developing anorexia.

Signs and symptoms of anorexia include, but are certainly not limited to:

PSYCHOLOGICAL:

• Increased irritability and difficulty interacting with others,
• Preoccupation with food, weight loss and so forth,
• Not eating or eating very little,
• Exercising a lot even when the weather is bad or when the individual is hurt or tired,
• Calorie counting, weighing food and/or reading labels to excess,
• Moving food around the plate, hiding it napkins and ‘playing with it’,
• Taking pills to urinate, defecate or otherwise aid in the weight loss process,
• Increased anxiety or other psychiatric problems,
• And compulsion to be perfect, act perfect, look perfect or to perform tasks perfectly.

PHYSICAL:

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia),
• Low blood pressure (hypotension),
• Disturbances in heart rhythm (arrhythmia),
• Constipation,
• Abdominal pain,
• Changes in liver enzyme levels,
• Thinning and brittle hair,
• Anemia,
• Potassium deficiency,
• Increased and/or decreased urination,
• Electrolyte imbalance,
• Hormone imbalance,
• Fertility problems,
• Amenhorrea (loss of menstruation),
• Dry, flaky skin,
• Tooth loss, etc.

Anorexia, as you can see, can be very serious. The condition can lead to death if left untreated or ignored. Common anorexia treatment includes some form of intensive psychiatric assistance either in an outpatient or hospital setting. Nutritional consulting will, of course, be a major part of the equation. The patient will need support while she is going through this process from family, friends, caregivers and so forth. It is imperative that people refrain from making the patient feel guilty for her condition and force her to eat. Be loving and extend a sympathetic ear and gentle hand.

Anorexia can be overcome, but it will take time. For more information, please feel free to check out these following resources:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, HHS
Phone: (866) 615-NIMH (6464)
Internet Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

National Mental Health Information Center , SAMHSA, HHS
Phone: (800) 789-2647
Internet Address: http://www.mentalhealth.org

Academy for Eating Disorders
Phone: (847) 498-4274
Internet Address: http://www.aedweb.org

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
Phone: (847) 831-3438
Internet Address: http://www.anad.org

National Eating Disorders Association
Phone: (800) 931-2237
Internet Address: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org