Anorexia is an eating disorder. It is a serious ilness and it will not go away without proper medical care.

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat and are obsessed with what they eat. They attempt to maintain a weight that’s far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia may starve themselves for days or exercise excessively. Anorexia is an unhealthy way to try to resolve your emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often think that you are worth with how thin you are. Anorexia can be chronic and difficult to overcome, but with treatment, you can gain a better sense of who you are.

Anorexia, like other eating disorders, can take over your life. You may have lots of physical problems such as dizziness, fatigue, constipation and sensitivity to cold temperatures. You may be verry irritable, sometimes angry, have frequent changing moods, feel sad, anxious and hopeless. You might wear baggy or layered clothing, and try to eat only certain types of food, usually those low in fat and calories. Unfortunately, many people with anorexia don’t want treatment, at least initially. Their desire to remain thin overrides concerns about their health.

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent anorexia or other eating disorders. Pediatricians may be in a good position to identify early indicators of an eating disorder and prevent the development of full-blown illness. They can ask children questions about their eating habits and satisfaction with their appearance during routine medical appointments, for instance.

It is known that Anorexia Nervosa used to be a rare disease. Today this is not the case. In the past 20 years numbers have increased. The increase is thought to be partly due to society’s obsession over praise of thinness. Women constantly receive the message that thinness is required for both beauty and success. Therefore, we should accept realistic weights for different body types and sizes. Be aware of the dangers present in teens adopting an excessive and obsessive weight control or reduction program. Now, strict weight control in teens is often allowed or overlooked.

If you notice a family member or friend with low self-esteem, severe dieting and dissatisfaction with appearance, consider talking to him or her about these issues. Although you may not be able to prevent an eating disorder from developing, you can talk about healthier behavior or treatment options.