After anxiety and depression, anorexia is one of the leading emotional disorders. It is an eating disorder that causes loss of appetite for food as a medical condition and causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat. Anorexia is also known as Anorexia nervosa on an official basis. It is classified into two types:
1.Restricting: The type in which severe limitation of food intake is the primary means of weight loss.
2.Binge-eating/purging type: The type in which there are periods of food intake that are compensated by laxative or diuretic abuse, self-induced vomiting, or excessive exercise. A person with anorexia nervosa may have the following symptoms:
Compulsive behavior, binge eating, hyperactivity.
Fatigue fainting, low body temperature, and low blood pressure.
Underweight or extreme weight loss.
Anxiety, guilt, or apprehension.
Brittle nails, dry skin.
Sensitivity to cold, slow heart rate.
Vomiting.
Dizziness, dehydration, and fainting.
Intense fear of weight gain or becoming fat.
Delayed puberty or slow growth.
Abnormal blood counts.
Anorexia nervosa usually involves emotional challenges, an exaggerated fear of gaining weight. It often happens during a person's teenage years or in adulthood. Anorexia can be a symptom of various diseases.
Have a look at some common causes of it
As it is a complex emotional disorder, the exact cause of anorexia is not known. Probably a combination of psychological, biological, and environmental factors.
Peer pressure: May help fuel the desire to be thin, especially among girls.
Psychological: An extreme drive for perfectionism. Some people may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets.
Biological factor: Some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism then this trait may be associated with anorexia.
Some emotional breakouts or transitions, change can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of anorexia.
Starvation and dieting: Starvation affects the brain and influences mood changes, rigidity in thinking, and reduction in appetite.
Anorexia can have numerous complications. At its most severe, it can be fatal. This may result from an imbalance of electrolytes or abnormal heartbeats. On average, anorexia can last for around 8 years. This not only affects the body but also has a bad impact on mental health.
Following are the preventive measures
Teach them to handle peer pressure.
Build their confidence and self-esteem.
Teach them about the importance of being on the ideal weight.
Tell them being extremely thin isn't good for your health.
Tell them the values of their personality, looks can be secondary.
See a counselor, they are experts, so they can handle the patient skillfully.
Praise and compliment them, give them support, be their role model.
This is a psychiatric disorder. The most important step is to set up a treatment plan with your psychiatrist.
With this add the following managing tips
Start with small eating habits, eat what tastes good to you but make sure that it is nutritious too.
Take care of yourself do what makes you happy!
Speak. Ask for emotional support.
Take proper rest. Take a break from social media, TV, or any harmful or unrealistic messages.
Spend time with your loved ones.
Wear comfortable clothes, and tell this affirmation to yourself whenever you see a mirror, " I look beautiful/handsome every day!
Have a healthy and good lifestyle change, so you can relax well and get well soon.
Yoga is the best to relax your mind and body. Also, it helps to build self-confidence. Include the following yoga poses in your routine:
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose)
- Bhujangasan (Cobra Pose)
- Dhanuradana (Bow Pose)
- Halasana (Plow Pose)
Make small and realistic goals.
Do pranayama, go for a morning walk.
Remember, "your willpower has more power than you think!"
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