Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa remains a very serious eating disorder that negatively affects millions of people on both a mental and physical level. This two pronged facet of anorexia is often overlooked. Most people understand that anorexia nervosa centers on the physical malady of not eating, but most do not understand that there are deep rooted psychological factors that contribute to the condition's physical component. In other words, anorexia is not a matter of someone dieting too much or dieting to excess, such as a starvation diet. It is a psychological disorder rooted in an individual's fear of gaining weight. In time, this fear becomes irrational and the person will refuse to eat despite the fact that such behavior could lead to severe and adverse health risks. In terms of the individuals at risk for anorexia nervosa, roughly 95% of all anorexia cases are female. In general, those women that must maintain a certain physical appearance are at risk for developing this condition. However, it would not be accurate to assume that every individual afflicted with anorexia falls into a certain profile or professional career. In reality, anorexia can affect women (and men) across a great spectrum of demographic groups. The root causes of anorexia nervosa can vary. People that are under societal or family pressure to maintain a certain weight can prove susceptible to the condition. In some instances, a person with low self-esteem may fear that fat will compound their issues. As such, they will seek to avoid overeating. Unfortunately, overeating shifts in definition to simply eating. This is what leads to significant weight loss which can create a life threatening situation if the weight drops beyond a certain level. In many instances, people confuse anorexia with bulimia which is a condition that involves eating a great deal of food and then regurgitating it to lose weight. This is, of course, a different condition that requires different treatment upon proper diagnosis. Now, when it comes to the diagnosis of anorexia, some may wonder what the difference is between suffering from anorexia and simply being compulsive about a diet. The answer lies in the severity of the dieting undertaken. A person that suffers from anorexia will go to the extreme based on a series of misconceptions about the self. Those that suffer from anorexia will often have a severely distorted perception of their physical appearance. They will also have an extremely heightened sense of fear regarding gaining weight. This leads to the individual refusing to eat to the point that a life threatening scenario. That is why it is critical to seek proper medical attention when the condition reaches serious levels. Unfortunately, many who suffer from anorexia do not realize the severity of their condition. Also, their peers may not see how serious the condition is and assume anorexia is merely weakness of character. Such assumptions can be fairly dangerous and that is why only the opinions of a professional health care provider hold any weight. Only through a proper treatment can the ravages of anorexia be reversed. When the condition is in the early stages, counseling may be all that is required to reverse the problem. However, if the person has become severely ill due to the condition, a hospital stay may be required. But, no matter what stage a person may be in, professional medical help will be needed to reverse the problem.
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