Anorexia

Women with anorexia have a distorted body image and an irrational fear of gaining weight. Therefore they will go to extremes to lose weight (ie: use laxatives to induce bowel movements, anti-diuretics to eliminate urine, and drugs to induce vomiting). Patients with anorexia often have other problems such as depression and anxiety. Currently, approximately 2-8% of young women have an eating disorder.

Risks – damage to vital organs (ie heart failure, brain function), menstrual cycle may cease, hair nails and skin change, blood pressure drops, dehydration may occur, risk of osteoporosis, metabolism slows down, fainting, death from starvation or suicide.

Treatment

- Nutritional Therapy

- Psychological Therapy