EFFORTPOST Anorexia Nervosa (Info + Image Dump at End)

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A KILLER

What is Anorexia? In order to understand anorexia, we have to understand what an eating disorder is. An eating disorder is usually a behavior condition in which there is a severe and persistent disturbance in normal eating behaviors, and usually associated with distressing thoughts and emotions. Anorexia falls under the class of an eating disorder, and is generally characterized by the loss or denial of appetite and food. Some other types of eating disorders include: bulimia, consisting of binge eating and then either throwing up or starving to get rid of the calories, and binge eating disorder, in which people usually tend to eat large amounts of food in short periods, commonly when stressed, and feel like they can't stop. People with anorexia will usually struggle with an intense fear of weight gain, an unhealthy and low weight, extreme restrictions when it comes to food, obsession with food and calories, and distorted perception of their weight (usually consisting of false beliefs that they are above the weight that they actually are).

How to spot anorexia: Those who suffer with anorexia usually have very restrictive eating patterns, and these often tend to include: eating in private and never around others, refusing to eat meals with others, repeatedly checking their weight, talking about their weight and generally obsessing over it. They may also loose a large amount of weight rather quickly, obsess with excessive and have a strict work out routine, and refuse to eat certain foods like meat, dairy, or sugary foods. Anorexics may also have repetitive food behaviors, like mashing food, chewing way too much, or just moving the food around the plate rather than eating it. They may also tend to drink large amounts of water, right before meals in an attempt to feel too full to eat*.

What effects does anorexia have on the body? Anorexia has many effects on the human body, as the nutrients from foods are vital to it for everything. Some effects are short term, and some are long term. The short term effects of anorexia can begin the first time you decide to starve, and when regular restriction starts, the body has no choice but the adjust, even going as far as to go into ‘starvation mode' if it has to. This means that since no nutrients are being provided to the body, they have to be taken from elsewhere within it. This often includes breaking down muscle mass or pulling the nutrients from the bodies bones. To help this change to the body, the brain releases hormones that over long periods could negatively affect the bodies overall health. After a long exposure, the effects of anorexia can became chronic and fatal. Some short term effects of anorexia include:

• 1. Weight loss: the most visible and common sign to those who have anorexia. In order for people to fit the criteria to be diagnosed with anorexia, they must have a body weight of 85% or less than the normal person of their stature. The drastic weight loss comes from the restriction of vital nutrients for the body and the taking of the nutrients from elsewhere.
• 1. Hair loss: hair is made of primary proteins, and protein is used by the body for many of its regular functions. When in starvation mode, the body must redirect nutrients to more important parts of the body, meaning that the hair is no longer receiving these nutrients.
• 1. Loss of periods: the endocrine system is usually thrown into chaos during the body going into starvation, and due to the inadequate function of this system, periods are usually completely lost for those with anorexia, making reproduction hard.
• 1. Anemia: when starving, your body already lacks most vital nutrients from food. One of these important nutrients we need is iron, which many with anorexia don't have enough of. This lack of iron can lead to weakness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat. Those with anorexia may bruise easier than others, and take even longer to heal than a healthy person. Nearly 17% of all anorexics suffer with anemia as well.

The long term effects of anorexia can be deadly. Usually the longer a person suffers from anorexia, the more damage is done to the body and the longer the healing process becomes. Some longer term effects of those suffering with anorexia can include:

• 1. Heart damage: due to anorexia affecting almost every muscle in the human body, it's unsurprising the heart is also affected. Without the proper nutrients for the body, the heart becomes more vulnerable to heart failure, disease, and arrhythmia. Due to the lack of nutrients, the heart is forced to work harder, which can cause tears and lead to cardiac arrest.
• 1. Blood pressure issues: since the heart is unable to beat as it should, topped with malnutrition, low blood pressure may become an issue for those with anorexia.
• 1. neurological problems: the bodies nervous system, of course, relies on the vital nutrients from foods, which the act of starving affects negatively. This can often cause nerve pain, muscle weakness, headaches, fainting, seizures, and movement issues for those with anorexia.

while most issues associated with anorexia are reversible with proper care, in severe cases, transition should be done under guidance of a professional.

What causes anorexia? Anorexia is usually caused by underlying triggers or possible genetic components. People who have experienced trauma in their lives, especially in childhood, are more at risk of developing anorexia in their lifetimes. Social causes also contribute to the development of anorexia when people feel like a failure to fit into today's society and beauty standards. Peer pressure and social media are big contributors to unrealistic body goals and beauty standards for the population, especially the younger ones. Other factors can often include those who tend to have a perfectionist personality, low self esteem, or jobs and hobbies centered around the important of weight, like modeling*.

EATING DISORDER STATISTICS:

• 9% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their life

• Every 52 minutes, one dies from direct consequences of anorexia

• 22% of the population worldwide showed disordered eating

• Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate, behind opiate addiction

• Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are considered medically underweight

• 15% of woman will have an eating disorder by age 40 and only 27% will receive any help

• People with eating disorders are 11 times more likely to attempt suicide

• 70% of those with eating disorders have other issues, commonly anxiety

• By age 14, 60-70% of females are trying to lose weight

• Men make up 25% of those with eating disorders

• Only 20% of adults with eating disorders ever seek help

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE SCROLLING!!!

If you or someone you know is currently struggling with an eating disorder, please don't be scared to reach out for help. It does get better, and there is help available. You are not a lost cause. You are perfect. Please DO NOT scroll if you are sensitive to or cannot handle photos of ‘thinspo' as they are nested below. Some free resources are listed below.

♡ National Eating Disorder Associates Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

♡ Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-4673

♡ National Associates of Anorexia Nervosa: 1-630-577-1330

♡ Eating Disorder Hope Website: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com

♡ ANAD Website: https://anad.org

EXAMPLES OF ANOREXIA ON THE BODY:

Disclaimer: All images were found on anorexia based twitter accounts