Anorexia Nervosa

It is a severe and potentially life-threatening eating disorder that is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Given below are the four primary symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:

• Resistance to maintain a body weight at or above the minimum weight required for the particular age and height
• Intense fear of gaining weight or being "fat" though the person is still underweight.
• Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape, with unjustified influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, and usually neglects and deny the ills of low body weight.
• Loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty

Eating disorders experts are of the opinion that prompt intensive treatment can significantly enhance the chances of recovery. Hence it is of great importance to recognize the early warning signs of anorexia nervosa.