Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms and Treatment
August 9, 2008 – 2:21 pm
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
There are many symptoms for anorexia. The following are the most common symptoms of the illness: Physical Symptoms, Psychological & Emotional Signs and Behavioural Symptoms. Also read about The treatments for Anorexia Nervosa: Medical Treatment, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Group Therapy and Family Therapy.
Physical Symptoms
• Dramatic weight loss in a short period of time
• Distorted body image
• Low blood pressure ( hypotension)
• Yellowed and dry skin
• Hypothermia
• Extra sensitive to cold
• Loss of nail and hair quality
• Frequent sore throats
• Scanty or Absent Menstrual Periods in post puberty women and girls
• Weakness ( thin appearance)
• Excessive Exercise
• Cold hands or feet
• Abnormal hearth rhythms
• Hormonal changes
• Bone loss
• Cracked lips
Psychological & Emotional Signs
• Having perfectionist personality
• Low-self esteem.
• Obsession with counting calories
• Complaining about weight problems
• Loss of sexual desire and potency
• Depression
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Extreme concern with physical appearance( especially with body weight and shape)
• Poor judgement
• Confused thinking
• Lack of appetite
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
Behavioural Symptoms
• Wearing big or baggy clothes
• Insomnia
• Frequent dieting
• Dieting despite being thin
• Eating very little
• Becoming obsessive about exercise
• Starving themselves
• Skipping meals
• Make yourself vomit after eating
• Restricting food
• Denies being too thin
• Dizziness or fainting
What are the treatments for Anorexia Nervosa?
If the patient denies his illness, the treatment of anorexia is very difficult. Unfortunately patients accept to enter a treatment when the illness fairly advanced. Getting back to normal weight takes time.
Treatment aims to:
• restore body weight
• save the person’s life
• improve psychological functioning
Medical Treatment: There are not any specific medications for anorexia. Some drugs are effective the treatment of the disease. There are some medicines that increase body weight. The other group drugs are psychiatric prescription drugs such as Sedatives, Tranquilizers, Benzodiazepines that are approved for Anorexia Nervosa. You should avoid alcohol while you are taking these drugs.
Nutritional Therapy: In this treatment, a dietician or nutritionist teaches healthy eating methods to the patients. The aim of this therapy is to help the patient create healthier eating behaviours.
Psychotherapy: It is frequently used for the treatment of the illness. It aims to change your attitude towards eating. Generally a course of the therapy lasts six months. There are 4 types of therapy for anorexia nervosa treatment.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: This type of therapy helps you change your wrong eating habits. It is aimed at normalizing eating behaviour of the patient.
Interpersonal Therapy: Interpersonal problems can cause eating disorders. This therapy works on relationship problems. It is a short term treatment.
Group Therapy: People with anorexia come together and share their problems with each other. People focus on exploring the roots and influences of eating disorders.
Family Therapy: Family members play an important role in anorexia. This therapy focuses on conflicts, roles, alliances within the family that are related to the anorexia.
Also read What is Anorexia Nervosa?
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