Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, and intense fears of becoming fat. While it is often misunderstood as a "diet gone too far," or a vain quest for thinness, it is, in reality, a debilitating and serious condition that affects both men and women of all ages. Characteristics of anorexia nervosa include:

• Failure to maintain 85% of normal body weight for age/height
• Intense fear of gaining weight or getting fat, despite continued weight loss
• Disturbance in the way body weight and shape is experienced
• In girls/women, loss of menstruation for a least 3 consecutive cycles
• Average age of onset is between 14 and 16 years old
• Less than one percent of the female population struggles with anorexia
• Anorexia has the highest death rate of any mental illness
• Personality traits may include perfectionism, and difficulty with change and/or conflict

The good news is that anorexia is treatable, and many people make a full recovery. To learn more about treatment options, click here.