There are a number of warning signs of anorexia. The facts about anorexia tell us that the disorder can be caught while it’s still in the early stages, and treatment is more effective when begun early.
If you notice any warning signs of anorexia in yourself, you should get professional help. To find help, talk to your doctor or any counselor. They should be able to refer you to someone who specializes in eating disorders or to a treatment center. You can also look in our listings of treatment centers.
It can be hard to recognize warning signs in yourself, though. People with anorexia are often in denial about the scope of their problem.
If you notice warning signs in someone you care about, encourage them to get help. You can help by assisting them in finding the right kind of treatment center or counselor. You might also want to show them this article.
Warning Signs of Anorexia
The first, and most obvious, warning sign is a low body weight. Weight loss may be sudden, and is usually extreme. The anorexic person restricts food, usually in an effort to be thin and attractive. However, there may be other reasons for restricting food.
Another common sign is an obsession about weight and appearance. These are very common warning signs of anorexia. The anorexic person may weigh themselves every day, or even multiple times a day.
The anorexic person is often preoccupied with food. They can often tell you the exact number of calories and fat grams in a wide variety of foods. While they eat very little themselves, they may frequently cook for others.
The anorexic person often has odd eating habits. They may insist on cutting their food a certain way or arranging food on their plate a certain way. They may eat only food of a certain color, or they may eat only one food.
These eating facts about anorexia can help you identify anorexia in yourself or another person. They are not the only warning signs of anorexia, however.
Health Problems
There are a number of health problems that are indications of anorexia. The low body weight associated with anorexia causes a number of problems. The anorexic person usually does not eat enough calories to support basic body functions.
The health facts about anorexia can be quite frightening. Serious medical problems can result from the disease.
The anorexic person is often dehydrated due to lack of food and fluid intake. The dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, causing dizziness.
Anorexic women frequently stop menstruating. They may become infertile.
As the disease progresses, kidney and liver disease may develop. These organs cannot function without key nutrients. The heart muscle can also suffer damage, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest. Without treatment, anorexia often results in death.
Facts About Anorexia
There are some things you should understand about anorexia. It almost never goes away by itself. Treatment is necessary, and the sooner the better.
The facts about anorexia tell us that even with treatment, an anorexic person may not get better. Only about 60% of anorexics recover fully with treatment. About 20% make a partial recovery. They can hold a job and maintain superficial relationships, but remain preoccupied with food and weight. The final 20% do not recovery at all. They continue to lose weight and have many health problems due to anorexia. In their case, the disease may be fatal.
These recovery facts about anorexia show you the importance of treatment. Getting expert care increases the chance of recovery. People with anorexia should receive treatment from an experienced counselor or a specialized treatment center. This will maximize the chance of recovery.