Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders are characterized by an abnormal attitude to food, resulting in avoiding food (anorexia), self-induced vomiting (bulimia), or compulsive overeating (binge eating disorder).
People with anorexia believe themselves to be fat even when they are underweight.
As well as severely restricting calorie intake, affected people may exercise excessively, use appetite suppressants or laxatives, or make themselves vomit after eating.
Menstrual periods may stop; fine, downy hair grows on the body; and the body muscles waste away. Eventually, anorexia can be life-threatening.
In bulimia, the person binge eats, then deliberately vomits or uses laxatives to avoid weight gain. Vomiting may cause chemical imbalances in the blood, which may lead to irregular heart rhythms.
In binge eating disorder, the person feel compelled to eat large amounts in a short period, even when he or she is not hungry, which often leads to obesity.
Treatment of an eating disorder usually involves psychotherapy and nutritional guidance; antidepressants may also be prescribed.
Recovery may take a long time, sometimes years.