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Anorexia by Amy Scholten, MPH

En Español (Spanish Version) More InDepth Information on This Condition

Definition

Anorexia is an eating disorder . It occurs when a person's obsession with diet and exercise leads to extreme weight loss. The disorder is considered if a person refuses to maintain a body weight at or above 85% of their ideal body weight. It can be fatal.

Causes

The cause of anorexia is not known. It appears that genetics and environment play a role.

Risk Factors

A risk factor increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for anorexia include:

Sex: female
Age: adolescence or early adulthood
Low self-esteem
Feelings of helplessness
Perfectionism
Fear of becoming overweight
Familial pressure to be thin
Families that are overprotective, rigid, not involved, or in conflict
Family history of eating disorders
Emotional stress
Mood disorders, such as depression or generalized anxiety disorder
Personality disorders
Influenced by social and fashion trends emphasizing or glamorizing thinness

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Excessive weight loss
Obsession with food, calories, and fat content
Dieting even when thin
Intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight
Body dysmorphia—distorted self-image of being overweight despite evidence of the opposite
Basing self-evaluation heavily on body weight or shape
Loss of menstrual periods (secondary amenorrhea ) or delay in menarche (beginning of periods)
Excessive exercising
Feeling cold, especially hands and feet
Being secretive about food
Hair loss and/or growth of fine hair on the body
Fainting or severe light-headedness
Constipation
Depression and/or anxiety
Heart palpitations

Anorexia often leads to a number of serious medical problems including:

Amenorrhea (loss of periods)
Osteoporosis
Cardiac problems—can be fatal

Body Dysmorphia

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. There will also be psychological tests. There may be lab tests. Findings may include:

Excessive loss of body fat
Loss of muscle mass
Low heart rate
Low blood pressure, particularly when standing
Decreased bone density
Signs of a slow metabolism

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to get you back to a healthy weight and keep you there. A healthy weight is above 85% of your ideal weight. To achieve this, your intake of calories is gradually increased. This can be accomplished through a number of interventions, including the following:

Nutritional Consultation

A dietician may be consulted to help you learn more about the components of a healthy diet. The dietician will also talk to you about reasonable weight goals and calorie goals.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapists help you develop a healthier and more realistic self-image. The therapist will help you find new ways to think about your body and your diet.

Interpersonal Therapy

Therapy can help you understand and cope with concerns about your relationships.

Family Therapy

Families often play a role in eating disorders. Many patients cannot recover unless their families are involved in the changes. All families need to understand the disorder and provide support.

Antidepressants

In some cases, anorexic patients benefit from a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. In particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as Zoloft or Prozac) are used. Used alone, antidepressant therapy is not an effective treatment for anorexia.

Addressing Nutritional Status and Loss of Bone Density

Medications and supplements may include:

Vitamins and minerals to maintain adequate nutrition
Hormone replacement to resume periods and prevent bone loss

Hospitalization

Hospitalization may be necessary if:

Weight is 25%-30% below ideal body weight
There are signs of serious physical or emotional deterioration

If you are diagnosed with anorexia, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing anorexia. Early detection and treatment is the best option.

RESOURCES:

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders http://www.anad.org
National Eating Disorders Association http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Mental Health Association http://www.cmha.ca
National Eating Disorder Information Center http://www.nedic.ca

References:

Anorexia nervosa. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated October 3, 2012. Accessed November 5, 2012.
Anorexia nervosa fact sheet. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/anorexia-nervosa.cfm . Updated June 15, 2009. Accessed November 5, 2012.
Casper RC. How useful are pharmacological treatments in eating disorders? Psychopharmacol Bulletin . 2002;36:88-104.
Ferri F, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
Lenders JW, Eisenhofer G, Mannelli M, et al. Phaeochromocytoma. Lancet . 2005;20-26,665-675.
Rakel R. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
Rakel RE, Bope ET, Conn H. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
Stern TA. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.

Last reviewed November 2012 by Michael Woods, MD

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.