Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder in which people are dangerously underweight. Find out more here…

How does anorexia manifest itself?

Anorexia is also known as anorexia nervosa. Affected girls and boys severely restrict their food intake even though they already have too little body weight. They have a great fear of gaining weight and therefore have to constantly think about which foods may be eaten, when, how and in what quantity. The fear of gaining weight can also lead them to vomit the food they eat or to use laxatives. Others do an extreme amount of exercise to consume the calories they have taken in.

How does anorexia develop?

Various triggers can play a role in the development of anorexia and can also influence each other.

In many cases, an eating disorder begins with a simple diet, over which control is then lost. It then becomes more and more difficult not to be preoccupied with food and weight and one experiences this as a kind of compulsion.

It is possible that personal characteristics play a role in the development of the disorder. For example, high demands on oneself, the feeling of having to please others, self-doubt or worrying in general.

Many sufferers also report derogatory comments from other people about their figure or that they feel bad when they compare themselves to others.

The perfect and overworked images of thin people in magazines, social media, videos or films can also put a lot of pressure on you and make you want to be like them.

Stressful life circumstances can also contribute to the development of an eating disorder, e.g. stressful events at home, at school or experiences of violence.

With such life circumstances, one often has a strong desire to be able to control them better. Control over eating or not eating in anorexia can also make you feel in control of other important things.

Altered self-perception

Anorexia leads to a distorted perception of one’s own body. One’s own body dimensions are perceived differently than they actually are. For example, one only concentrates on individual body parts, which one then perceives as not fitting, shapeless or too fat.

It can also be that one’s own feelings can no longer be perceived so well or that bodily sensations are perceived as feelings.

What are the consequences of anorexia?

Anorexia can lead to serious physical harm and has a very high death rate – about 15% of those who become ill die prematurely as a result of anorexia.

Risk of heart failure

Restrictions in food and fluid intake, but also purging or vomiting, lowers the level of vital minerals in the body (electrolytes). An unbalanced electrolyte balance can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, permanent heart damage or even death.

Malnutrition and dehydration can also lead to other serious physical effects such as:

• Kidney damage or kidney failure
• Liver damage or liver failure
• Epileptic seizures
• Muscle paralysis
• Menstrual cessation
• Infertility
• Reduction in bone density, leading to more frequent fractures
• Susceptibility to infectious diseases
• Multiple organ failure
• Growth of downy body hair (the body tries to grow a warming coat)

Are you affected?

Here we have summarised the most important signs that can indicate anorexia, or a tendency towards anorexia:

• Are you worried about gaining weight?
• Are you underweight?
• Have you missed your period?
• Are other people worried about your weight and think you are too thin?
• Do you use weight loss products, do you vomit, or do you exercise a lot to maintain or reduce your weight?
• Does your mood and self-esteem depend a lot on what you see on the scale?
• Do you often have circulation problems? Do you often feel dizzy or cold?
• Do you sometimes avoid eating when you are hungry?
• Do you worry about food every day? Do you often find yourself counting calories?
• Do you feel that you have to hide something from other people about your eating behaviour?
• Do you feel bad or guilty after you have eaten?

TIP:

We are happy to be there for you in our counselling services if you recognise yourself in possible signs! It doesn’t matter if you are worried about your weight, want to find out if you could be affected, are looking for help or just want to talk or write to us about eating confidentially and anonymously.

Help with anorexia

There are different kinds of help available for anorexics. Any physical consequences or problems should always be clarified with a doctor. For the treatment of eating disorders, there are counselling centers, outpatient or inpatient help at clinics or psychotherapy with psychotherapists in private practice.

For further help and support  — Speak with a licensed therapist today.