Anorexia nervosa is not just an eating disorder. It is a deep psychological struggle that leads a person to dangerously starve himself, making him live in a state of constant fear of gaining weight. During this journey, the person loses his pleasure in food and turns to be his own enemy. In this article, we learn with Al Mousa Specialist Hospital about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. Read on.

What is anorexia nervosa?

It is considered a serious, life-threatening eating disorder, in which the person refuses to eat and eats very small amounts of food. He also fears excessive and annoying weight gain, and is afraid of distorting his body image. There are some individuals who suffer from it who suffer from severe weight loss, but they see themselves as needing to lose more weight permanently, and they resort to many methods to reduce weight, including avoiding eating, exercising excessively, using diuretics and laxatives, and using the idea of vomiting after eating. Anorexia nervosa also leads to serious health complications.

Physical and psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa

There are a number of physical and psychological symptoms resulting from this type of anorexia nervosa, which are evident as follows:

Physical signs

• Severe weight loss, reaching the point of extreme thinness.
• Constant feeling of fatigue, exhaustion and weakness, even with little effort.
• Dizziness and fainting due to low blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Irregular heartbeat, which leads to serious heart problems.
• Dry skin and hair loss due to a deficiency in minerals and vitamins.
• Deterioration of human health as a result of calcium deficiency and malnutrition.
• Feeling cold even in warm weather.
• Insomnia with sleep disturbances.
• Digestive system problems such as abdominal cramps and constipation.
• Cessation of menstruation, whether for girls or women.

Psychological signs

• Extreme fear of gaining weight, even if the person is very thin.
• A constant feeling that the body is distorted, as the individual feels that he is fat even if he is thin.
• Extreme focus on weight and food, constantly thinking about calories, food and weight, and neglecting many other aspects of life.
• Feeling anxious, stressed, and depressed, and it can lead to suicidal thoughts.
• Avoid social events that involve food, and choose to isolate yourself from friends and family.
• Feeling ashamed and guilty because of eating, the individual also always tries to hide the disease from others.
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions due to fatigue and malnutrition.
• Severe mood swings and a feeling of quick anger and irritability, in addition to abnormal mood swings.
• Not admitting there is a problem and always thinking that anorexia is not a sign of a healthy lifestyle.

It is important to recognize the symptoms early and seek prompt medical intervention, as anorexia nervosa is a serious disease that leads to serious health complications and may lead to death.

How does anorexia nervosa affect the body?

It greatly affects the body, and can lead to serious and fatal health complications in some cases. There are some ways in which anorexia nervosa affects the body, which are as follows:

• Severe weight loss and malnutrition, as anorexia nervosa leads to severe weight loss, thus depriving the body of the essential nutrients it needs to perform functions properly. Malnutrition also leads to a wide range of health problems, including muscle weakness, hair loss, dry skin, and osteoporosis, in addition to heart problems, kidney problems, and organ failure.
• Anorexia nervosa can cause irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, heart muscle damage, and in severe cases, heart failure and sudden death.
• It also negatively affects the digestive system, as it may lead to bloating, constipation, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
• Dehydration and malnutrition caused by anorexia nervosa can lead to kidney problems, including kidney stones and kidney failure.
• It can lead to osteoporosis and thus increase the risk of fractures.
• It may also lead to thyroid problems and amenorrhea in women and a decrease in testosterone levels in men.
• Repeated vomiting may lead to erosion of tooth enamel and tooth decay.
• Suffering from various other psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• In severe cases it can lead to death.

Causes of anorexia nervosa

There is no clear reason, but it is believed that the reason is a combination of psychological, social and biological factors together, which are explained as follows:

Psychological factors are:

• Low self-esteem.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Childhood trauma such as sexual or physical abuse.
• Also, perfectionist people who always strive for perfection, whether in appearance or principles, always feel that they are not good enough with their weight, and thus suffer from this problem.

Social factors are:

• Societal pressures can lead to anorexia, as some individuals may feel they need to be thin to be accepted or loved by society.
• Bullying over weight or appearance can also cause anorexia.

Biological factors:

• Some people may be more likely to develop anorexia due to genetics.
•  Also, some chemical imbalances in the brain may cause the disease.

Treatment of anorexia nervosa

It is a complex disorder and requires comprehensive treatment that includes the physical, psychological, and social aspects. This treatment aims to restore a healthy weight, in addition to treating psychological problems. Treatment methods include psychotherapy, nutritional therapy, and drug therapy. Details are as follows:

• Psychotherapy: It includes cognitive behavioral therapyGroup therapy Or family. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps identify negative thoughts and behaviors and change them. The individual learns how to deal with negative feelings in healthy ways and overcome the fear of gaining weight. Group therapy can also be an important support for those affected. Family therapy also helps family members understand the nature of the disorder and learn how to support the affected person.
• Nutritional therapy: It aims to restore a healthy body weight and prevent complications resulting from malnutrition. This includes developing a balanced nutritional plan and eating regularly. Nutritional therapy also helps in changing wrong eating habits. The individual learns how to recognize signs of fullness and hunger, learns how to eat in moderate quantities, and avoids foods that arouse fear and anxiety in the individual.
• The doctor can prescribe anti-anxiety or depression medications to the patient, which help him treat the psychological problems associated with anorexia nervosa, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. The doctor also prescribes other medications to treat the physical complications that result from anorexia, such as heart problems and osteoporosis.
• In severe cases, the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital to receive intensive treatment and close monitoring. The hospital is resorted to when the patient suffers from severe weight loss, suffers from serious medical complications, or has suicidal thoughts.

How is anorexia nervosa early diagnosed?

Early diagnosis is extremely important, as it improves the chances of recovery and reduces complications. There are a number of ways in which the early signs of this problem can be identified, and these methods are as follows:

• Noticing changes in eating behaviors, such as refusing to eat food or significantly reducing quantities, and avoiding certain types of foods, such as avoiding foods that contain high calories, fats, or carbohydrates. The patient may also perform strange rituals while eating, such as cutting food into very small pieces, chewing food for a long time, or arranging it in a certain way. It is also possible to find the person denying eating food, or find him reducing the quantities he eats, or hiding food in secret places. He may also exercise excessively as a way to burn calories.
• Follow physical changes such as rapid weight loss, fatigue and exhaustion, dizziness and fainting, coldness in the extremities, hair loss and dry skin.
• Noticing psychological and emotional changes, such as an intense fear of gaining weight. The person may also see himself as fat even if he is thin, suffer from anxiety and depression, may be short-tempered or have mood swings, have social isolation and avoid social occasions, especially those that involve food, and refuse to admit that he suffers from anorexia.

 If you notice any of the signs of anorexia nervosa on anyone you know from the above, it is important to talk to him, express your concerns and fears to him, and encourage him to talk to the doctor, so he can diagnose and treat. It should be noted that early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery and reduces the risk of serious complications.

Book your consultation now at Rafah Center for Mental Health At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

The relationship between anorexia nervosa, depression, and anxiety

It is an intertwined and somewhat complex relationship, and most of the time these disorders coexist, and we explain the details below:

أولًا: الاكتئاب وفقدان الشهية العصبي

The relationship here is a two-way relationship, as depression contributes to increasing the problem of anorexia, and loss of appetite may also exacerbate the symptoms of depression, and both depression and anorexia share some causes, including:

• Chemical imbalances in the brain.
• Genetic factors.
• Also some painful experiences.

They also share some similar symptoms, such as:

• Social isolation.
• Low self-esteem.
• Mood swings.

As for the effect, it is a mutual effect, meaning that anorexia can lead to malnutrition and thus affect brain functions, and then worsen the symptoms of depression. Depression, in turn, may lead to loss of appetite and thus increase the risk of malnutrition and complications of anorexia.

Second: Anxiety and anorexia nervosa

Extreme anxiety about appearance and weight can be a primary trigger for anorexia. Many individuals with anorexia also suffer from various disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Anorexia can also lead to increased symptoms of anxiety related to food, weight, and appearance.

Third: Anxiety, depression, and anorexia nervosa

It is a triadic relationship, as the three often overlap in symptoms, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. The effect is also reciprocal, as each disorder affects the other, thus exacerbating symptoms and making it difficult to recover. In this case, the patient requires treatment for the three disorders through psychotherapy, nutritional therapy, and drug therapy.

كيف يمكن تجنب فقدان الشهية العصابي؟

Anorexia nervosa can be avoided by following a number of measures that work to enhance psychological and physical health, with the need to change misconceptions about the body and food. To avoid this disorder, it is important to focus on your positive qualities and abilities and not link your self-worth to your outward appearance, do not compare yourself to others, accept your body as it is and focus on your health and physical fitness instead of striving to achieve an unrealistic image of yourself. 

You must be careful about healthy eating habits. Do not skip meals and eat 3 main meals, with healthy snacks in between, and make sure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs, by eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It is important to eat when you feel hungry and stop when you feel full, that is, listen carefully to your signals of hunger and fullness, and avoid harsh diets that lead to eating disorders. In addition to all of this, you should practice relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation, and get installments. 

Rafah Center for Mental Health

Rafah Center for Mental Health من مستشفى الموسى التخصصي هو وجهة رائدة في تقديم الخدمات المختلفة للرعاية النفسية الشاملة، ويلتزم المركز بمساعدة الأفراد على التحسين من جودة الحياة عبر برامج علاجية وتأهيلية متخصصة، ومن خلال أطباء الطب النفسي بالمستشفى يعمل الأطباء على علاج اضطراب فقدان الشهية العصبي، ويقدم المركز برامج علاجية شاملة تهدف إلى مساعد المرضى على استعادة العلاقات الصحية مع الطعام والتحسين من الصحة النفسية والجسدية، وتشمل هذه البرامج العلاج النفسي الفردي والجماعي، الإرشاد الغذائي، العلاج الدوائي، وبرامج التأهيل والدعم الأسري، ومن خلال مركز رفاه تتم مساعدة الأشخاص على استعادة التوازن النفسي واستعادة

Frequently asked questions

Does nervousness cause anorexia?

Both extreme nervousness and stress can cause loss of appetite, as the nervous system affects the digestive system, and stress can limit blood flow to the intestines and stomach, which leads to slow digestion and loss of appetite. Stress and anxiety can also lead to the secretion of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can reduce appetite. It is important to note that anorexia nervosa is a complex psychological disorder that includes various factors other than nervousness, such as an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and a feeling of lack of self-esteem.

Does psychological state affect anorexia?

The psychological state plays a major role in anorexia, as anxiety, stress, and depression can affect appetite. Stress and anxiety can lead to the secretion of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, thus reducing the desire to eat. Depression also leads to a loss of interest in eating and a lack of pleasure from eating it. There are some cases in which anorexia can be an indicator of the presence of a psychological disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is why it is important to monitor any changes in appetite and speak with the treating physician when feeling anxious.

Is anorexia a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome?

Loss of appetite can be one of the signs of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that affects the large intestine, and can cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. The pain and discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome can lead to loss of appetite.

احجز موعدك الآن ولا تتجاهل الأمر فقد يزيد ويتفاقم إلى حد خطير، ابدأ رحلتك مع مستشفى الموسى التخصصي واحصل على التشخيص والعلاج النفسي المتكامل مع مجموعة من أفضل الأطباء بالمملكة العربية السعودية.

Medical references 

What is anorexia – clevelandclinic

Anorexia nervosa – healthdirect