Anorexia Nervosa: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 3 Aug 2026

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics

Synopsis

A factual overview of anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder marked by self-starvation and fear of weight gain, covering its signs, causes, and treatment.

At a Glance

• 1 - Sir William Gull coined the term anorexia nervosa in 1873.
• 2 - Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, surpassing even depression.
• 3 - People aged 15 to 19 make up about 40 percent of all anorexia cases, and the disorder often begins around puberty.
• 4 - Prevalence averages about 0.9 percent in women and 0.3 percent in men in developed countries, and it is more common in upper social classes.

Topic Definition

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person severely restricts how much they eat because of an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of their own body. Even when they become dangerously thin, people with the condition often still see themselves as overweight, and they may go to great lengths to lose more, from constant exercise and skipping meals to misusing laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics. More than a struggle with food, it usually reflects a deeper attempt to feel in control and to cope with anxiety, and it tends to take hold in young people around the onset of puberty. Because prolonged self-starvation can damage the heart, bones, brain, and other organs, and because the disorder carries a high risk of death, early treatment that combines medical care, nutritional support, and psychotherapy is essential.

Overview

Anorexia nervosa is defined as an eating disorder characterized by food restriction, inappropriate eating habits or rituals, obsession with having a thin figure, and an irrational fear of weight gain. Anorexia nervosa is accompanied by a distorted body self-perception, and typically involves excessive weight loss. Due to their fear of gaining weight, individuals with this disorder restrict the amount of food they consume.

"Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, surpassing even that of depression, and currently, there are no accepted pharmacological treatments," - Dr. Chiye Aoki.

Individuals with anorexia are known to control body weight commonly through the means of voluntary starvation, purging, excessive exercise or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs.

Anorexia is something more drastic than just a problem with food. It is a strange way of using food, body weight or starving oneself to feel more in charge of one's life, to ease nervousness, anger, and anxiety. Most people with anorexia are females.

People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. Their abnormal eating habits develop from this panic psychosis. This cycle of self-starvation gradually becomes an obsession, and in severe cases becomes life-threatening.

A person with anorexia is usually 15% below his/her ideal weight and still considers themselves overweight, and may even weigh food before eating it. A person with anorexia will avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly.

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people, especially the teen group (adolescent girls) starve themselves - the main reason is to lose weight and turn lean. Anorexia typically begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Weight loss is obtained by many ways - some harmful as well. The common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives/ diet pills, vomiting after a meal and starving oneself to limitless extent. People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight, and will resort to dieting even after they become extremely thin.

Symptoms of Anorexia

There are many symptoms for anorexia; not all individuals may experience similar symptoms. The common symptoms include a body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).

Other symptoms may include:

• Anemia
• Dizziness
• Mood swings
• Constant exercise
• Severe food restriction
• Loss of hair on the head
• Extremely low body weight
• Pale complexion, dehydration
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Obsession with food and calories
• Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)
• Fine downy hairs on face, neck, back
• Fatigue and muscle tiredness, headaches
• Lack of menstruation among girls and women.
• Unusual eating habits (i.e., cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)
• Relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight.
• Distorted body image and self-esteem that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape, or a denial of the seriousness of low body weight.

Risk Factors of Developing Anorexia

There are many biological and psychological risks associated with anorexia nervosa. They include shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, debility of the brain due to lack of nutrients, permanent retardation of normal body growth, development of osteoporosis.

People who do not receive treatment may become chronically ill or even die in severe cases. Continued use of laxatives is extremely harmful for the body. It gradually wears out the bowel muscles and causes a decrease in its functional ability. Some laxatives may also contain harsh and toxic substances that may be reabsorbed into the body.

Long spells without adequate intake of food can cause fragile bones leading to osteoporosis, as well as damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.

Anorexia can impede normal growth in the young, adolescents, and cause difficulties in concentration. People with anorexia nervosa may also experience mental health problems such as depression and increased risk of suicide.

Common Causes of Anorexia

Until today, no definite and single cause of anorexia nervosa has been determined. It is likely that both inherent biological factors and factors in the person's social environment play an integral part in its development. Some experts feel that demands from peer pressure, society, and families could possibly be underlying stress causes for anorexia.

Some believed causes include:

• Emotional issues
• Frightened about getting fat
• Genes, hormones and family history
• Perpetual fear of putting on weight
• Dysfunction in the part of the brain, which regulates certain metabolic processes.
• Pressure to be thin and attractive, because of a poor self-image, and also to fit into a certain ideal of beauty.
• Stressful events - traumatic events like rape, assault, puberty, death in the family as well as other stressful things like starting a new job, can lead to the onset of anorexia.
• An obsessive and constant thinking about their weight, especially losing weight. Demonstration effect - If you have a mother or sister with anorexia, you are more likely to develop the disorder.

How is Anorexia Nervosa Treated?

Treatment of anorexia varies depending on the individual circumstances. There is no one single line of treatment. The initial treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that require hospitalization.

Psycho-therapy is also an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight, return of menstrual periods in female patients, improved psychological self-image and normal social functioning.

Treatment for anorexia, which includes drugs and psychological support, aims to:

• Re-instate normal food habits.
• Bring in family support to treat the condition.
• Bring back the person to a healthy, normal weight.
• Treat any physical complication or associated mental, psychological problems.

In some cases, medication such as anti-depressants may be necessary, especially people with severe depression or serious obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening illness, and should be treated as soon as possible.

Anorexia Nervosa Facts and Statistics

The term anorexia nervosa was coined in 1873 by Sir William Gull, one of Queen Victoria's personal physicians. The history of anorexia nervosa begins with descriptions of religious fasting dating from the Hellenistic era and continuing into the medieval period. A number of well known historical figures, including Catherine of Siena and Mary, Queen of Scots, are believed to have suffered from the condition. The medieval practice of self-starvation by women, including some young women, for religious piety and purity also concerns anorexia nervosa; it is sometimes referred to as anorexia mirabilis. It was not until the late 19th century that anorexia nervosa was widely accepted by the medical profession as a recognized condition. Today, many celebrities have come forward discussing their struggles with anorexia, increasing awareness of the disease.

• Anorexia is more prevalent in females and males born after 1945.
• Anorexia has an average prevalence of 0.9% in women and 0.3% in men for the diagnosis in developed countries.
• The condition largely affects young adolescent women, with those between 15 and 19 years old making up 40% of all cases.
• Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by attempts to lose weight, to the point of self-starvation.
• Anorexia nervosa is more prevalent in the upper social classes, and it is thought to be rare in less-developed countries.
• The lifetime incidence of atypical anorexia nervosa, a form of ED-NOS in which not all the diagnostic criteria for AN are met, is much higher, at 5 - 12%.
• Anorexia nervosa, and the associated malnutrition that results from self-imposed starvation, can cause severe complications in every major organ system in the body.
• A person with anorexia nervosa may exhibit a number of signs and symptoms, the type and severity of which may vary in each case and may be present but not apparent.
• Between 50% and 75% of individuals with an eating disorder experience depression. In addition, one in every four individuals who are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa also exhibit obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between anorexia and bulimia

Anorexia centers on restricting food and maintaining a very low body weight, while bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging, often at a more typical weight.

How long does recovery from anorexia take

Recovery varies widely and can take months to several years, with the best outcomes linked to early treatment and steady medical and psychological support.

Can anorexia affect fertility

Yes, prolonged starvation can stop menstruation and disrupt hormones, which may reduce fertility, though many people regain reproductive function after recovery.

Is anorexia only about wanting to be thin

No, it is a complex mental illness often tied to control, anxiety, trauma, and self-worth, with weight and food being the outward focus rather than the root cause.

What health problems can anorexia cause long term

Long-term effects can include osteoporosis, heart damage, kidney and liver problems, infertility, and lasting cognitive difficulties from prolonged malnutrition.

How can I support someone with anorexia

Offer patient, nonjudgmental encouragement, avoid comments about weight or appearance, and gently urge them to seek professional treatment as early as possible.

When does anorexia require hospitalization

Hospital care may be needed when body weight is dangerously low or when there are serious medical risks such as an irregular heartbeat or severe electrolyte imbalance.

Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.

Last updated: 3 Aug 2026