The causes of anorexia can be as unique as each person struggling with this condition, which makes it more difficult to treat effectively. Anorexia facts tell us that the basic underlying theme of anorexia is that a person dreads being fat, and continues to work toward thinness far beyond what’s considered a healthy weight loss. This obsession seems to worsen as more and more pounds are shed. In some cases anorexics starve themselves to death.
In order to better understand this condition, let’s first consider some facts about anorexia. Anorexics have a distorted body image, and they deny the dangers of being under weight. Anorexics typically restrict their caloric intake by fasting, dramatic diets, and sometimes-intense exercise.
Some Anorexia Facts:
- Anorexia commonly affects young women between the ages of 13 and 20.
- 10 percent of all anorexics are male.
- 10-15% of all people with anorexia will die from physical or mental complications.
- Peer pressure, media representations of thinness, and other social stresses are all considered among the potential causes of anorexia.
- The average anorexic weighs as much as 15% under the normal weight for that individual’s height (some are even more extreme).
- Some of the physical side effects of untreated anorexia include loss of tooth enamel, kidney infections, low blood pressure, anemia, bone brittleness, and poor circulation.
- Approximately 60% of anorexics make a full recovery.
These anorexia facts paint a very grim picture. Self-starvation is incredibly destructive, but it also gives sufferers a sense of control and power over weight. The more weight that’s lost equates somehow to being “successful”. This progressive cycle is one reason why some clinicians believe that many anorexics suffer with obsessive-compulsive behaviors that becomes one of the causes of anorexia.
Anorexia Facts – Other Potential Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
Current research suggests that a person is more likely to become anorexic if a family member likewise struggled with the condition. While proof of genetic predisposition hasn’t been fully supported yet by research, many experts believe that it’s possible for anorexia to run along family lines.
A second potential cause is psychological especially for type A personalities that seek perfection and accomplishment. Anything less than a pristine appearance becomes a crushing failure.
Thirdly, we can look at an anorexic’s family or social circles for clues. Here, various pressures and activities may become contributing factors. For example, people who participate in sports or hobbies that require maintaining specific weights have a higher risk of developing anorexia.
In some cases anorexia starts out very innocently – with just wanting to be thinner or more toned. Once that desire turns to fixation, that’s when this condition begins to transform the person’s entire life.
Anorexia Facts – Warning Signs
If you feel someone might be trying to hide an eating disorder, there are some telltale signs of anorexia for which to watch. These include:
Avoiding eating by any means possible
Anorexics may pretend to eat or lie about how much they have eaten. They may also deny that they are hungry.
Abnormal thinness hidden by bulky clothing
Anorexics may try to hide their weight loss. They may lie about how much they weigh.
Fear of becoming fat
The anorexic person will go to extreme lengths to avoid weight gain. They also tend to believe they are fat even when they are actually underweight.
Ritualistic eating and drinking
The anorexic person may require food to be cut a certain way or arranged on the plate a certain way. They may become angry or annoyed if these rituals are interrupted in some way.
Depression, anxiety, or moodiness
Anorexics frequently suffer from other mental health disorders.
Social avoidance
Anorexic people often avoid social situations, especially when food is involved.
Obsession with diet and/or exercise
Anorexic people can often tell you the exact amount of calories in different foods and the amount of calories burned by different forms of exercise.
It’s very important to try to encourage such individuals to seek professional help as early as possible. No matter the causes of anorexia, the damage it does to body and mind can last a lifetime, and even become life threatening.