Anorexia nervosa
Overview
Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is an eating disorder where you feel a need to keep your weight as low as possible.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of anorexia include: if you're under 18, your weight and height being lower than the minimum expected for your ageif you're an adult, having an unusually lowbody mass index (BMI)missing meals or eating very littlethinking about food a lot and being very careful about what you eat, such as avoiding eating any foods you see as fatteningbelieving you're fat when you're a healthy weight or underweightyour periods stopping (in women who have not reached menopause) or not starting (in younger women and girls)physical problems, such as feelinglightheaded or dizzy,hair lossor dry skin if you're under 18, your weight and height being lower than the minimum expected for your age if you're an adult, having an unusually lowbody mass index (BMI) missing meals or eating very little thinking about food a lot and being very careful about what you eat, such as avoiding eating any foods you see as fattening believing you're fat when you're a healthy weight or underweight your periods stopping (in women who have not reached menopause) or not starting (in younger women and girls) physical problems, such as feelinglightheaded or dizzy,hair lossor dry skin Some people with anorexia may also make themselves sick or do an extreme amount of exercise.Some use medicines to reduce their hunger (appetite suppressants), help them poo (laxatives) or make them pee (diuretics) to try to stop themselves gaining weight from any food they do eat.
Causes
We do not know exactly what causes anorexia and other eating disorders. You may be more likely to get an eating disorder if: you or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug addictionyou have been criticised for your eating habits, body shape or weightyou're overly concerned with being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job – for example, ballet dancers, jockeys, models or athletesyou have anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality or are a perfectionistyou have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused you or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug addiction you have been criticised for your eating habits, body shape or weight you're overly concerned with being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job – for example, ballet dancers, jockeys, models or athletes you have anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality or are a perfectionist you have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused
Treatment
You can recover from anorexia, but it may take time and recovery will be different for everyone. Your treatment plan will be tailored to you and should consider any other support you might need, such as for depression or anxiety. If you're over 18, you should be offered a type of talking therapy to help you manage your feelings about food and eating so that you are able to eat enough to be healthy. Talking therapies that are commonly used to treat anorexia in adults include: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)Maudsley anorexia nervosa treatment for adults (MANTRA)specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Maudsley anorexia nervosa treatment for adults (MANTRA) specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM) If you're under 18, you should be offered family therapy. You may also be offered another type of talking therapy, such as CBT or adolescent-focused psychotherapy. Find out how to getmental health support for children and young people.
Prevention
Address body image concerns, promote healthy self-esteem, manage anxiety, reduce societal pressures about thinness, raise eating disorder awareness.
When to see a doctor
See GP if you suspect anorexia. Urgent: rapid weight loss, fainting, extreme tiredness, high distress. GP will check weight, heart rate, blood pressure and refer to specialist.