As we all know, in these times, there is a higher rate of people with eating disorders, we must be alert to signs and symptoms in order to provide better assistance to these people who suffer.

Anorexia Nervosa:

Many of us perhaps have read something about the anorexia, we have seen or heard by the media about this disorder, sometimes, with a lot of information we do not know exactly what is anorexia nervosa. According to the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) defines anorexia as a disorder characterized by deliberate weight loss, induced or maintained by the same patient. This disease mostly occurs in children and young people (male and female) and prepubescent child or mature women until menopause. The cause of anorexia nervosa is still unknown yet, a series of sociocultural and biological factors interacting contributing to their presentation at the psychological mechanisms involved and a vulnerability of personality.

How can I know if someone has this disorder?

1.- Significant weight loss (body mass less than 17.5)

2.- The weight loss is caused in the patient by:

a) Avoid eating "fattening foods"

b) Self-induced vomiting

c) Self-inflicted intestinal Purges

d) Excessive exercise

e) Consumption of anorectic drugs or diuretics.

3 .- Distortion of body image, the patient is fully convinced that he or she is "fat", is more viewable and makes the person stays below a limit of body weight.

4 .- Widespread endocrine disorder in women manifests as amenorrhoea and in men as loss of interest and sexual potency, also present disturbances of thyroid hormone metabolism and abnormalities in insulin secretion.

What are the consequences of Anorexia Nervosa ? ?

1. Muscle loss and weakness

2. Severe dehydration causing kidney damage

3. Dry skin and hair loss.

4. Low Heart rate and blood pressure

5. Development of very fine hair all over the body.

6. Reduction of bone density leading to brittle bones and thus breaking them more easily.

7. There is difficulty in gastric emptying.

8. The immune system is altered, so that the patient is more likely to have other illnesses.

9. Decreased mood.

10. Anxiety and Depression.

11. Isolation from their social circle

12. Low self-esteem

If some of us know of a relative, friend or person who suffers this disorder, talk with them, listen to them, do not look bad, do not discriminate, nor see it as "rare" they are human beings like all of us, deserve respect, love, be heard and valued, they need us, let's help them out of that great hell that makes each passing day slaves

Canica

Clinical Psychologist