Living with Anorexia: Unveiling Its True Impact
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition classified in the DSM-5 that creates a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. This condition can affect anyone, regardless of current body size or shape, and it's important to understand the different aspects of anorexia, including the atypical form.
In most cases, treatment that addresses anorexia and other mental health needs and symptoms may work better for individuals with co-occurring conditions. Anorexia can lead to complications like organ failure, poor brain function, reduced bone density, clinical depression, difficulty getting pregnant, and substance use disorders.
The DSM-5 mentions body mass index (BMI) as a way to help diagnose anorexia, but many people living with anorexia would not be considered underweight according to the BMI scale. This is called atypical anorexia. Atypical anorexia usually impacts people with obesity or people considered overweight according to the BMI.
Anorexia has two subtypes: the restricting subtype, where one may be focused on limiting food intake, and the binge/purging subtype, where one may find themselves in cycles of binge eating and then finding ways to eliminate that food intake. Symptoms and signs of anorexia include restricted food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, a gap between how you experience your body and how others see it, and feeling like your body shape or weight determines whether you feel good or bad about yourself.
Living with anorexia affects mental health and emotions, causing feelings such as sadness, moodiness, confusion, indecisiveness, and irritability. More than half of those living with anorexia have a coexisting mental health condition, such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), personality disorders, substance use disorders, or schizophrenia. Around 60% of people with anorexia may also live with an anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, OCD, and panic disorder.
Substance use doesn't always develop at the same time as anorexia; it can occur before, during, or after the discovery of another mental health condition. In some cases, people with anorexia use substances to reduce appetite, lose weight, or purge, while in other cases, substance use may be another maladaptive way to manage overwhelming emotions. Approximately 12-18% of adults with anorexia have a substance use disorder.
When looking for the right treatment, it's important to choose professionals who are knowledgeable and understanding, and who have experience working with people who have eating disorders. The cause of atypical anorexia is multifactorial, involving biological factors such as genetics and hormonal imbalances, as well as psychosocial influences like high personal performance demands, low self-esteem, stressful life events, and societal thinness ideals.
Finding the right help for anorexia may involve medical treatment, medication, nutritional counseling, therapy, inpatient care, support programs, or a combination of these approaches. During the recovery process, building up a self-care toolkit can help, and this may include challenging negative self-talk, trying new foods, moving gently, finding what makes you feel good, building your support network, and practicing meditation and breathing techniques.
Healing from anorexia can be a journey, but with help, you can find empowerment and self-love. Local healthcare and mental health professionals can explore the possibility of anorexia with you if you're concerned. Physical effects of anorexia can include dizziness, fatigue, hair thinning, dry skin, brittle nails, and irregular or missing periods.
Some researchers suggest that anorexia could even be a form of OCD, although it's not currently categorized that way. Anorexia could also be more common in people with developmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and it's never too late to start your journey towards recovery.
