Understanding Eating Disorders | Page 11

● Extremely thin or emaciated

● Fear of weight gain, unwillingness to maintain a

healthy weight

● Distorted body image

● Denial

● Very strict eating rituals or routine

● Wearing layers or loose clothing to hide weight loss

● Withdrawal from friends and social activity

● Skipping meals or not eating in public

● Moody or irritable

Over time, anorexia destroys the body, causing serious health problems such as:

● Yellowish tint to skin

● Brittle hair and nails

● Thinning of bones

● Severe constipation

● Organ failure

● Mild anemia

● Brain damage

Anorexia Nervosa

● Feels cold constantly, due to

a drop in internal body temperature

● Infertility

● Extreme fatigue, feeling tired

all the time

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, in which people see themselves as overweight or fat; though they are obviously underweight. Common symptoms of anorexia include: