Anorexia is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia attempt to maintain a weight that’s far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia may starve themselves, purge, or exercise excessively.
Anorexia is a complex eating disorder with three key features:
- refusal to maintain a healthy body weight
- an intense fear of gaining weight
- a distorted body image
There are two types of anorexia
- restricting – weight loss is achieved by restricting calories (following drastic diets, fasting, and exercising to excess)
- purging – weight loss is achieved by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics
Anorexia isn’t really about food. It’s an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate thinness with self-worth. Because of your dread of becoming fat or disgusted with how your body looks, eating and mealtimes may be very stressful. And yet, what you can and can’t eat is practically all you can think about. Thoughts about dieting, food, and your body may take up most of your day — leaving less time for friends, family, and other activities you used to enjoy. Life becomes a relentless pursuit of thinness and going to extremes to lose weight.
While people with anorexia often deny having a problem, the truth is that anorexia is a serious and potentially deadly eating disorder. Fortunately, recovery is possible. With proper treatment and support, you can break anorexia’s self-destructive pattern and regain health and self-confidence.
Dallas Counseling for Anorexia