People have learned about this disease relatively recently - and this has become a real shock. Until now, most people do not understand the depth of the problem and consider it the result of ordinary stupidity. In fact, it is a nervous disease that, without timely and proper treatment, leads to death. The word "anorexia" literally means "lack of appetite." Moreover, the patient does not just "eat badly" – he/she avoids eating, as something dangerous, extremely harmful. The goal of this behavior is weight loss, loss of body fat. And the goal of anorexic is beauty.
The patient is not able to adequately assess his/her own condition: even with complete exhaustion, he/she notices "excess weight" and tries to get rid of it. It is easy to feel the difference in the perception of a healthy person and an anorexic patient: the latter admires him(her)self, rejoices at what is achieved and makes plans for future weight loss.
Since nutrition is the basis of normal vital activity of the body, a metabolic disorder is quickly attached to anorexia nervosa. Soon, human health is completely undermined: patient simply cannot eat properly, vital processes are interrupted or proceed pathologically. Violated the activity of the cardiovascular system, hair falls out, the skin loses its tone, hormonal regulation is upset, the digestive system stops absorbing food. Women are disrupted by the menstrual cycle, reproductive function. At a certain point, these violations become irreversible.
Who suffers from anorexia?
It is wrong to think that this is a purely female disease. Although in most cases, anorexia nervosa occurs in young women - up to 24 years. But children and people over 24 years old, including men, may be exposed to it.
Causes of anorexia nervosa:
The main cause of the disease is the instability of the psyche, which leads to a loop on the idea of weight loss. This can happen if the self-esteem is lowered, the person does not feel the strength to organize own life safely, is looking for support in external factors, strongly inspire.
Then, especially popular today, the idea of the equivalence of beauty and harmony - can become overvalued (in the pathological sense of this term). Indeed, in modern culture there is a clear connection between success, wealth and appearance of a person. A woman by these rules should be very slender and young (this is one of the reasons why girls get anorexia more often than young men for whom there are several other "ideals"). Often this image is strengthened, exaggerated. But what is possible on the stage, the podium, especially in the photo - cannot always be realized in everyday life.
In addition, there are other factors that predispose to the development of anorexia nervosa. For example, cases of such disorders in relatives, violence, impaired metabolism of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) and a tendency to depression and so on. But, strictly speaking, these factors do not cause anorexia, but lead precisely to the psychological instability on the basis of which this disease grows.
Signs of anorexia:
It is difficult for the environment to recognize anorexia in the initial stages. You need to be aware of the person’s mental movements to notice that he/she is carried away by the idea of losing weight and this fascination is pathologically intensified. But, if you have a person from a "risk group" next to you - a young girl whose identity is not yet formed, whose emotional state is not yet stable - you need to track the following:
• Exaggerated attention to body, face;
• The desire to lose weight;
• Constant attention to your own weight, weighing;
• Denial of nutrition problems;
• Oppressed state. Possible storms of resentment, anger, euphoria, and then - again, depression;
Of the objective signs that you need to pay attention to, you can call weight loss. To calculate the weight norm, different indices can be used. For example, the Quetelet index, which is obtained by dividing the body weight (in kilograms) by the square of growth (in meters) (60 kg: (1.7 mx 1.7 m) = 20.8). The norm of the Quetelet index lies, between 18.5 and 25. If this index is below 17.5 - the body weight is insufficient.
Symptoms of anorexia:
When weight loss efforts bring tangible results (the patient relieves about 20% of weight) - anorexia progresses. Instead of easing restrictions, a person tightens diet. Already during this period, disturbances in the work of the whole organism become noticeable. Dehydration leads to a sharp deterioration in the condition of the hair and skin, the bones become more fragile - fractures are possible, the appearance of joint diseases. The cardiovascular system does not cope, which is expressed in violation of the heart rhythm, pressure fluctuations. These symptoms can no longer be overlooked. And it is necessary to take urgent measures - to start treatment. After all, life in this state is already in mortal danger. And, after a year or two, the changes become irreversible and we are talking not about life, but about the prolongation of life.
The question of when death will come and what will be its cause is secondary (no matter how terrible it may sound!). It is much more important - how to save life and bring it closer to normal (after all, it will not be possible to completely restore health). Even if the patient wants to change the fate – he/she is no longer able to eat normally, gain weight. A constant and very careful treatment is required.
Based on everything said above, it is clear how important it is to start treatment as early as possible. Close people should not turn a blind eye to even the most fleeting suspicions and signs that may indicate the development of anorexia. It is difficult to prevent the appearance of this serious disorder. But to cure him/her is almost impossible. Such a patient will experience psychological and physical difficulties throughout life, for example, as people who use drugs.
If anorexia nervosa is already in the second stage (weight loss, about 20%), it is also treated with psychotherapy. Conducted as individual sessions, as well as classes with the family, group trainings. Therapeutic diet, which is prescribed to patients - is designed to normalize the metabolism and promote weight gain to normal rates. It must be understood that the body of anorexic is no longer able to absorb any food. Therefore, a diet chosen by a doctor is required. Drugs can be prescribed - antidepressants. For example, Fluoxetine. It is possible to administer solutions containing vitamins that eliminate dehydration. It must be understood that disease anorexia nervosa can recur. In other words, in such a patient, after the therapy, there may be disruptions, which again lead to a critical weight loss.
