Anorexia is a eating disorder, characterized by deliberate weight loss, caused and / or maintained by the patient, for weight loss or to prevent weight gain.
In anorexia, there is a pathological desire for weight loss, accompanied by a strong fear of obesity. The patient has a distorted perception of his physical form and there is a concern about weight gain, even if this is not actually observed.
Most often, anorexia affects young women and girls. The causes of anorexia are divided into biological (genetic predisposition), psychological (family influence and internal conflicts), and social (environmental influence: expectations, imitations, in particular diets). Anorexia is considered to be a female disease, which manifests itself in adolescence.
What are the main signs of anorexia?
The main symptoms of anorexia are:
- Progressive weight loss.
- Panic fear get better.
- The denial of maintaining a weight minimum, however low it may be.
- Constant feeling of fullness, in particular certain parts of the body.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Guilt in eating.
- Isolation from society, depression
As a result of this disease, certain disorders can occur at the physiological level, such as pallor of the skin, feeling of cold, menstrual disorders, arrhythmia, persistent weakness, muscle spasms. As well as increased irritability, unreasonable anger, resentment towards others.
How to treat anorexia correctly?
Anorexia treatment should be started as early as possible in order to prevent irreversible changes in the body when it is depleted. In the treatment of anorexia nervosa, somatic improvement, behavioral, cognitive and family psychotherapy are key elements. Pharmacotherapy is an addition to other types of psychotherapy. The integral components of the treatment are alimentary rehabilitation and measures aimed at restoring body weight.
Contact your psychiatrist for an individualized treatment. A necessary condition in the treatment of anorexia is psychological support in the form of individual and family psychotherapy. Do not hesitate and do not be afraid, because your health is most important!