Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which a person's body image may become distorted to the point that what they see in the mirror bears little resemblance to reality. Someone with anorexia may be dangerously and dramatically underweight but still believe they are too fat.
Body image distortion is one of the common symptoms of anorexia. Other symptoms of anorexia include dramatic weight loss, obsession with exercise, self-starvation, tooth loss or decay, denial, and depression.
The causes of anorexia are complex. Cultural factors are among the causes of eating disorders, such as society's preoccupation with thinness. Environmental factors may play a role, too, including sexual abuse and low self-esteem.
Apart from the very obvious thinness, other internal physical complications can occur to those with anorexia. Bones can become brittle due to lack of minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, and heart problems are common. Left untreated, anorexia can lead to infertility, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
Thankfully, many people with anorexia successfully recover. The process is not easy or quick. Treatment for anorexia requires at least six steps, among them seeking help, treating medical problems that accompany anorexia, and getting back to a healthy weight.
If you or someone you care about shows signs and symptoms of an eating disorder such as anorexia, seek help. Acceptance of the problem is the first breakthrough toward recovery. Often people with anorexia deny their illness, so help them to see the truth and understand the very real medical consequences of the eating disorder.