Anorexia Nervosa

Is characterized primarily by self-starvation and excessive weight loss

Common symptoms include:

• Intense fear of weight gain, obsession with size and very restricted eating patterns

• A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight

• A distorted body image, including denial of the seriousness of the illness

• Inadequate food intake leading to significant weight loss

Anorexia is categorized into two subtypes – the restricting type and the binge-eating and purging type. Individuals with the restricting type lose weight solely through diet; while those with binge-eating/purging type may binge on large quantities of food or eat very little, and then purge using activities like vomiting, taking laxatives or exercising excessively.