Causes of Anorexia Nervosa, Symptoms and Treatment

Every year, many people become ill or even die from anorexia nervosa. There are an estimated eight million people in America alone who are currently suffering from anorexia and although the majority of those suffering from anorexia are young women, men can become anorexic as well. If anorexia goes untreated, a person could eventually die from it.

Anorexia nervosa is not just a physical disorder, but a psychological disorder as well. Anorexia is usually triggered by something unsettling happening in one's life, making them feel lost and uncertain about things.

Anorexia Nervosa - Causes

The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is not known. Traumatic events like rape as well as stressful things like starting a new job, can lead to the onset of anorexia. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing anorexia. Eating disorders also tend to run in families, with female relatives most often affected. A girl has a 10 to 20 times higher risk of developing anorexia nervosa, for instance, if she has a sibling with the disease. Behavioral and environmental influences may also play a role.

The causes of anorexia nervosa are many and they are all nervous problems such as too much pressure and stress. It is believed that those who had some problems with over-protective parents in childhood might suffer from eating disorders when they reach maturity. Also, people who feel rejected by society and that they lost control over their lives will most likely develop eating problems.

Constantly criticizing one's own body and appearance combined with low self-esteem.

This is probably the saddest part of the anorexia story. Some people actually cause themselves to become anorexic, accidentally, through fad diets or worse, intentionally, through a sick idea that the "anorexic look" is sexy. There are websites and companies making money by promoting self-starvation as a weight management tool.

Anorexia Nervosa - Symptoms

Denying that they have any problem and seeing themselves as grossly obese despite being dangerously under-weight are characteristic traits of anyone suffering from anorexia nervosa. They refuse any attempts of help and adamantly refuse to eat lest they put on any weight. They are obsessed with thoughts of dieting and weight gain and will exercise even when they are very ill.

Even though they are very slim they continue to do a lot of physical exercise and try to lose more weight.

Some of them can go further, and each time they eat they force themselves to vomit right after, or they overuse laxatives to empty their stomach.

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

The treatment for anorexia nervosa is often difficult and can take a long time. Some patients improve much slower then others do with many relapses during the recovery process. The treatment can be subdivided into immediate or long term anorexia treatment.

The immediate concerns of most people who present with anorexia nervosa is always low weight, nutrition balance and complications (like organs failure) due to long term starvation. All these have to be addressed first before long term psychological treatment can begin.

The next component of anorexia treatment is nutritional counseling, where a nutritionist or dietician teaches the patient about balanced meals, healthy eating and proper nutrition. The nutritionists will also help patients develop and follow meal plans containing sufficient calories to reach and maintain a normal, healthy weight.