Anorexia Symptoms

The most conspicuous of anorexia symptoms is the person appears too thin for their height and built. However, there are other signs that you may not be aware of. For therapy and proper treatment to work, recognizing the many overt and subtle signs of the eating disorder is a must.

General Indicators and Signs

People with this eating disorder will severely limit the food they eat. One of their most noticeable habits is breaking food into small bits, and then eating small portions.

Because their habits may indicate the disorder, individuals with the eating disorder often refuse to eat in public. They will also force themselves to vomit to get rid of the calories and fat they consumed.

Sometimes they may go on sudden eating binges followed by forced vomiting. The following are some of the other symptoms that may be seen.

Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms

These individuals often exercise several times every day. It is not unusual for some to resume work outs after resting for a couple of hours in an effort to lose more weight. Too much exercise can lead to injuries, and the lack of proper nourishment will weaken the body even more.

Other anorexia symptoms include mood changes. Sometimes it is flat; other times they can be very depressed or irritable. They get angry easily, manly due to their obsession about weight and the physical discomfort caused by their eating habits.

Other signs include withdrawal from social activities. It is also possible they are taking various types of herbal or diet pills to reduce weight.

Physical Symptoms

The most obvious sign of course, is the gaunt and frail looking physique. They become fatigued easily even if they are barely active. Very often people with this eating disorder will complain of feeling dizzy and may even faint.

The lack of proper nutrients leads to other health complications like insomnia. Their fingers will have a bluish hue. The hair thins and falls. The skin will lose its moisture and dry up.

Other physical indicators of this eating disorder include low blood pressure, abnormal blood count, unusual heart rhythms and dehydration.

Other signs include avoiding meals, constant weighing of themselves and wearing heavy clothes. This is to hide their gaunt frame.

Treatment

This will consist of therapy, establishment of proper diet and in some cases, taking of antidepressants. There are no specific drugs made for this eating disorder for none have proven effective.

However, they are given to deal with the complications that arise from it, such as stress or mental disorders. In severe cases the patient may require hospitalization. If problems like electrolyte imbalances or heart rhythm disturbance occur, the individual must be taken to the hospital immediately.

If the case is not too severe, a dietitian will be needed to set the proper diet. A therapist will help the individual talk about this problem.

Anorexia symptoms are often concealed by the person because they don’t want to get treatment. Therefore it is important to know the signs so they can get treatment.