Anorexia Nervosa

In the spirit of Mental Awareness Week, here is my contribution.

Anorexia nervosa is an illness that many have heard about, however few can understand. It is a psychological disorder, characterized by out of control dieting, obsession with weight and weight loss. Individuals suffering from AN normally have a distorted body image and poor self image, which only serves to compound the problem. Methods used by individuals with AN are voluntary starvation, excessive exercise and the use of dietary drugs. The obsession with becoming thinner is actually secondary to the driving fears and need for control over one’s body.

There are multiple components contributing to AN, including neurobiological, psychological and sociological factors. Some researchers believe that this disorder can stem from the demands placed upon individuals by society and family expectations. 90-95% of those affected are female, most often from middle and upper socioeconomic groups. Individuals who are in a position where thinness is more desirable (eg. athletes, models, dancers) are seen to be at higher risk. Despite these identified trends, no definite cause for AN has been determined. If the condition becomes too severe, it can often become fatal.