Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, overeating) affect
about 4% of adolescents. Severe anorexia nervosa is rare, affecting about 0.5%
of the population. However, milder cases were probably not diagnosed. This
disorder is primarily a phenomenon characteristic of puberty and young
adulthood. About 95% of anorexia cases are women. Anorexia is much more common
in industrialized societies where leanness is a prerequisite for attraction.
Twenty years ago, this phenomenon was mainly related to middle- and high-income
families, but today it is spread across all social classes.
When it comes to treating anorexia, find a good eating
disorder specialist or someone who understands anorexia, is of vital
importance. Located in Moorpark, California, only 20 minutes from central Los
Angeles, The Meadowglade is an outpatient rehabilitation center specializing inmental health and eating disorders. The Meadowglade’s mission is to help clients
achieve an independent work-life balance by following the therapeutic
principles of benefitting mind, body and spirit, to maximize the quality of
life in every way.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia
A person with anorexia nervosa may have a large number of
clinical symptoms and signs that can cause complications in any organ system.
Some of the symptoms of the disease are:
·
Refusal to maintain a normal body weight index
for the patient's age
·
Amenorrhea - loss of menstruation
·
Fear of even the slightest weight gain
·
Obvious, rapid and dramatic weight loss of at
least 15% below normal body weight
·
Hair growth on the face and body, more brittle
hair, yellow and unhealthy skin
·
Abnormal food cravings such as calorie counting
or obsessive cookbook study
·
Suppression of sexual desire
·
Cold hands and feet at normal room temperature
·
Chronic insomnia and fatigue
·
Rituals like chopping food into small pieces,
refusing to feed in the presence of others
·
Taking laxatives, weight loss pills,
intentionally vomiting immediately after a meal
·
Exquisite exercise
·
He blames the perception of the body as fat even
though everyone says the patient is too thin
·
Hypotension and heart rate disorder
·
Depression
·
Desire for loneliness, avoidance of family and
friends
·
Mood changes
·
Halitosis (bad breath) due to vomiting
Anorexia diagnosis
Assessment of anorexia involves examination of the patient's
mental and physical condition, that is, the current mood and content of
thoughts (with emphasis on weight and dietary patterns), the circumstances in
which the person is present, their illnesses to date, present symptoms, and
family history. Anorexia is usually evident on the basis of characteristic
symptoms and signs, especially the loss of more than 15% of body weight in a
young person who is afraid of obesity, loses menstruation, denies the disease
and otherwise appears in good condition. The key to diagnosis is to detect a
central "fear of obesity" that is not mitigated by weight loss.
Because treating anorexia is a rather complex process, The Meadowglade’s treatment modalities are individualized, multi-disciplined, therapeutic,
diverse and designed to address each individual’s needs in a professional,
unique and holistic manner.
