Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, excessive weight loss, and a strong fear of gaining weight or being fat.

Below I list some of the signs and symptoms of Anorexia. You don't have to exhibit all of these behaviors to have Anorexia. Additionally, you may have experiences or behaviors that are not listed here.

• Eats very little and often eats alone
• Eats only "safe" foods
• Has a significantly low body weight
• Sees self as heavier than she is
• Exercises for hours a day
• Constantly thinks about what she will/will not eat
• Becomes moodier (more irritable, depressed)
• Becomes socially withrawn
• Weighs herself frequently
• Develops fine hair on face/torso
• Develops dry skin and hair
• Loses hair/thinning hair
• Has cold hands and feet
• Has constipation and other digestive problems
• Has insomnia
• Has a loss of menstrual periods (in women not on birth control)