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Anorexia/Underweight

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by:

  • Severe restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight
  • Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
  • Distorted body image and self-perception

Key Symptoms

  • Rapid weight loss over weeks or months
  • Obsession with calories, dieting, and body shape
  • Excessive exercise
  • Denial of hunger
  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods in females
  • Fatigue, dizziness, and fainting
  • Fine hair growth on the body (lanugo)
  • Dry skin, brittle nails, and thinning hair

Causes

A combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors contribute to anorexia nervosa:

  • Biological factors: Genetics and brain chemistry may play a role
  • Psychological factors: Perfectionism and low self-esteem are common traits
  • Environmental factors: Societal pressure and idealization of thinness

Treatment

  • Nutritional rehabilitation: Restoring healthy weight
  • Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy
  • Medications: Antidepressants or antipsychotics in some cases
  • Medical monitoring: To manage complications

Underweight is defined as a BMI < 18.5 and can result from anorexia or other causes like:

  • Genetics
  • Malabsorption disorders
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Poverty and malnutrition
  • Chronic illnesses

Health Risks

Being underweight poses significant health risks:

  • Weakened immune system
  • Osteoporosis
  • Anemia
  • Fertility issues
  • Increased mortality risk

Treatment

Treatment focuses on identifying the underlying causes and may involve:

  • Dietary changes: Increasing caloric intake
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Addressing medical conditions