Remuda Ranch

Anorexia

There is nothing good about eating disorders, especially anorexia. When a woman has this disease, it affects her entire life, health, home and often, her work. Since the risk factors are the same, the situation is similar for adolescents and children. Once a young girl starts with the behavior, often there is no end in sight. Weight loss becomes her top priority. She will spend all her time in search of the perfect diet -- the best way to stay thin.

People with anorexia starve themselves to dangerously thin levels, at least 15% below their appropriate weight.

Criteria

• Low Weight
• Weight Phobia: Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
• Body Image Issues: Believing you are fat when you are not, making your weight the only thing you judge yourself on, denying the medical seriousness of your low weight.
• Loss of menstrual period: For women who have reached puberty, missing at least three menstrual cycles in a row.

Warning Signs for Adolescents & Adults

• Loss of menstrual period
• Dieting obsessively when not overweight
• Claiming to feel "fat" when overweight is not a reality
• Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, and/or cooking
• Denial of hunger
• Excessive exercising, being overly active
• Frequent weighing
• Strange food-related behaviors
• Episodes of binge-eating
• 15% or more below normal body weight/rapid weight loss
• Depression
• Slowness of thought/memory difficulties
• Hair loss

In children any combination of these symptoms should be considered serious and an immediate evaluation by an eating disorder professional or physician is recommended.

Consider the text of the following articles on Anorexia

• Anorexia Diagnosis
• Anorexia Symptoms
• Anorexia Tests
• Anorexia Treatment
• Hazards of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
• How Does a Child Present with Anorexia?
• Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa

Women and girls struggling with anorexia need clinical intervention. Research indicates that the earlier treatment is sought, the better the outcome is for most patients. If you or someone you know is struggling with Anorexia, please call Remuda today at 1-800-445-1900.