Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia for short) is characterized by an irrational fear of gaining weight.  People with anorexia go to
extreme measures to reach and maintain a dangerously low body weight.  These are people do not see themselves as thin
enough and therefore will continue to lose weight until their bodies have become emaciated.  Those who are struggling with
anorexia have an obsession with food, dieting, calorie counting, weight loss and their body image.

Anorexia is most common in adolescent girls and young women, with the typical ages of onset being between 13-20.  However,
people of all ages and genders- including men and children can suffer.
  • This person will REFUSE to sustain a minimum normal body weight.  Specifically, this person can weigh below 85% of their Ideal Body Weight.  They will lose their
    menstrual cycle, lose the hair on their head and/or grow hair on their face.  Lastly, they can appear yellow or grey in color.
  • This person is always dieting or eliminating certain whole food groups.
  • There is an intense fear of gaining weight, despite being underweight.  This person will refer to themselves as "fat" or "disgusting."  They will also constantly look at
    themselves in the mirror, will weigh themselves several times daily and will pinch their body continually.
  • This person has a distorted view of their body or their weight or they will deny the dangers of having such a low body weight.
  • This person will have specific rituals they will conduct such as cutting food into very small pieces, making unusual food combinations, diluting food with water or chewing
    and spitting out their food.
  • This person will lie about eating and/or they will insist on eating in seclusion.
  • A bulimic will typically have a normal body weight.
  • This person must control over their weight and body image and will be desperate to lose weight.
  • This person makes frequent visits to the restroom after meals.
  • There will be calluses on their hands or knuckles
  • This person maintains extreme secrecy.
  • Many times bulimia is coupled with substance abuse issues.
    It is important when trying to help someone with an eating disorder to be supportive.  Anorexia, for example, is a disorder about
    control and the more you try to talk them out of it, ("Just eat!" "You look awful!" "Why are you doing this to yourself?"), the
    stronger the disorder will get.  Your friend or loved one requires individual therapy that focuses on 1) gaining weight, if
    necessary, 2) establishing the underlying cause of the eating disorder, 3) changing the negative behaviors.

    You should and will be part of the treatment, however, please keep in mind that this person did not come into this disorder
    overnight, nor will they come out of it overnight.
    They will also provide you with additional information regarding causes and treatments of eating disorders.


    Additionally, these are some great books that may give you more information.

    Eating in the Light of the Moon by Dr. Anita Johnston, PhD
    Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer
    Gaining by Aimee Liu
     Bulimia Nervosa (Bulimia for short) is characterized by episodes of binge eating and purging.  During an average binge a person can consume, on average, 3,000-5,000
     calories.  Drastic measures are then taken to purge out the ingested calories such as vomiting, exercising excessively, laxatives, diuretics, ipecac and enemas.