A life threatening psychological Disorder.

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Anorexia Nervosa is a life threatening psychological disorder which is characterized by rapidly reduced appetite or total aversion of food. Anorexia affects someone both physically and psychologically.

  Anorexia mainly results in

women aged 10-30, but the highest reported ages are from 14-18 years old. The disease is more likely to affect females rather then males. It is a psychological disorder which results in extreme fear gaining, self-starvation and a distorted view of body image. http://

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Anorexia Nervosa mainly results in women aged 10-30, but the highest reported ages are from 14-18 years old. Anorexia is 10 times more likely to affect females than males. It is a psychological disorder which results in extreme fear of gaining weight, self-starvation and a distorted view of body image. Anorexia was first classified as a psychiatric disorder in 1980, it used to be a problem for upper-class white women, and now is growing problem within all races and social classes. The number of cases of Anorexia has doubled since 1970. Although 90 percent of the reported cases are female, the number of males suffering from this disorder is a growing number.

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The causes and affects of Anorexia vary regarding the patient and situation but there symptoms to look for. A patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa may suffer from some or all of the following symptoms:

  -A body mass index lower then 17.5 -Body weight is at least 15% lower then expected

weight -Avoidance of “fattening foods”, excessive exercise,

self induced purging, use of weight loss pills and/or diuretics.

-Distorted view of body image/extremely low self-esteem

-Amenorrhea(absence of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles)

http://www.geocities.com/edpetition/ED_CENTER/eatingdisorders_stats.html

Severe and prolonged weight loss due to anorexia has numerous negative effects on the human body. The following are just a few of the parts of your body that can be damaged as a result of anorexia:

  Skin and Hair: Your hair becomes thin and frail, and layers of soft, thin hair

can develop over your body to act as a coat almost. Your skin becomes cold and dry due to bad circulation.

  Heart and blood vessels: Your blood pressure drops dramatically because of

inadequate body fluids. This causes dizzy spells, fainting, and palpitations. Heart muscle can waste away, which can end up in heart failure.

  Muscle and Bone: Muscle weakness and wasting can occur. Lack of bone

protein and calcium and result in osteoporosis and a higher risk of fractures.   Kidney: Kidney stones can occur.   Metabolic: Low blood sugar and high cholesterol can be found in anorexics.

The liver does not function well and body temperature drops. This is a result of lack of subcutaneous fat.

The media has said to control our society, it has a large effect on the upbringing of this disorder in young girls today. The pressure to be thin and the view of the “perfect body” that media has portrayed encourages girls to want to look like the models and actresses they see on television. This is an unrealistic goal for most females which results in extreme dieting leading to disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. As an attempt to make products look more desirable a young, skinny, attractive female is used to model whatever product is being sold.

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Eating_Disorders/consequences_4.asp

http://www.faqs.org/health/Sick-V1/Anorexia-Nervosa.html http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?

articlekey=2268 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anorexia_nervosa/

page3_em.htm http://www.helpguide.org/mental/

anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm