What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and non-specific eating disorders are behavioral disorders related to the act of eating and body image. In modern times, the social demand for a thin body in women and an athletic one in men has become a risk factor for the development of these disorders. Being thin has become a safe conduct for going through life; it is a guarantee of security that provides the individual with the freedom to perform socially without fear of being criticized by his or her peers.

The term “anorexia nervosa” literally means “loss of appetite of nervous origin”. This condition is characterized by the attainment of a body weight much lower than expected for the gender, height, and age of the affected individuals, who also show a rejection of weight gain. This refusal to maintain a normal body weight is notable, as is the fear of gaining weight and becoming obese. Currently, it is considered that its nature and origin are complex with an interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors, which, together with the medical complications observed in this condition, makes it a field of growing interest for its study and treatment.

The prevalence of anorexia nervosa ranges from 0.2 to 0.5% of the population, primarily in women between the second and third decades of life. The ratio of presentation by sex is 1 to 10 in favor of women and the crude mortality rate is 5.9%. It is the main cause of death due to electrolyte disturbances that trigger sudden death.

According to several studies, the following warning signs have been identified to suspect this disorder:

Dramatic weight loss
Wearing loose clothing to hide weight loss and maintain body heat
Making overweight comments even though you are losing weight
Denying the feeling of hunger
Cooking food for others, without eating
Maintaining an excessive and rigid exercise regimen despite the weather, fatigue, and illness
Suspend usual activities with friends and prefer to stay isolated
Concern about eating in public
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
In post-pubertal women loss of menstrual periods

Currently, an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach is conceived for the treatment of this condition, which includes the intervention of professionals from various specialties, who work in joint coordination, from the initial evaluation and the progress of the treatment. It is important to recognize that patients come to consultations, most of the time, against their will and without awareness of the disease. Therefore, the treatment must include a psychoeducation program that teaches the patient and their family members the details of the disease, the physical and psychological consequences of this condition, and the recommendations for management at home.