Specific Signs of Anorexia
- Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight
- Undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation
- Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced
- Denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight
- Infrequent or absent menstrual periods (in females who have reached puberty).
More Information on Signs of Anorexia
People with anorexia see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin.
The process of eating becomes an obsession for people with anorexia. Unusual eating habits develop, such as avoiding food and meals, picking out a few foods and eating these in small quantities, or carefully weighing and portioning out food.
People with anorexia may repeatedly check their body weight. Many engage in other techniques to control their weight, such as intense and compulsive exercise, or purging by means of vomiting and abuse of laxatives, enemas, and diuretics.
Girls with anorexia often experience a delayed onset of their first menstrual period.
Long-Term Signs of Anorexia
Signs of anorexia in someone who has had the condition for a long time can include:
- Slow heart rate and low blood pressure
- Brittle hair and nails
- Dry skin (which may become yellow, and develop a covering of soft hair called lanugo)
- Mild anemia
- Brain damage
- Swollen joints
- Reduced muscle mass
- Light-headedness
- Osteoporosis
- Heart failure, especially in those who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, or urination.
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