Other names :
Slimmer’s disease.

Introduction of Anorexia Nervosa:
A severe aversion to food to the point that the patient refuses to eat, or vomits food that is eaten.

Discovery of Anorexia Nervosa:
Slim is in and trendy. Well covered bodies are no longer chic. This trend towards the scrawny look started in the 1960’s with Twiggy, and has continued unabated ever since. One unfortunate aspect of this fashion has been the exacerbation of a disease that is not new but has always been with us - anorexia nervosa.

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa :
There is no specific cause for the disease, and no abnormality of the blood or anatomy can be found to be responsible. It is a condition caused almost entirely by psychological factors.

Incidence of Anorexia Nervosa:
Anorexia nervosa is far more common in females than males. It is not particularly common, and most GPs would only have one or two patients in their practice.

Prevention of Anorexia Nervosa :
Parents should carefully watch any diet that their daughter is on, and ensure that it is appropriate. Significant weight loss without apparent dieting in a teenager may be serious.

Investigations :
There is no specific blood or other test that can confirm anorexia nervosa, but tests may be undertaken to ensure that there is no other cause for the weight loss or lack of appetite.

Course :
    The usual patient is a young woman in her teens or twenties, who undergoes a psychological shock of some type. This can vary from rejection by a boy friend, to fear of a new situation, stress at school, or a bad sexual experience. The result is the formation of a poor body image by the patient. They feel that they are far larger and fatter than they really are, and start unnecessarily dieting. This becomes a compulsion, and they continue to diet beyond any reasonable level. Some appear to eat normally, but later induce vomiting to loose the food that they fear will harm them. As a result of their abnormal eating pattern, these women become very thin, and in the end stages of the disease, mimic the concentration camp victims of World War Two. Their periods stop, they lose their hair, and show signs of gross malnutrition. It has been theorised that the psychological trauma may result in a disturbance to the part of the brain that causes hunger and the desire to feed. As a result, anorexia nervosa is very difficult to treat, but successful expert treatment is essential if permanent organ damage or death are to be avoided.

Complications of Anorexia Nervosa :
Patients are more susceptible to any form of infection. In advanced stages of the disease, heart, kidney and liver failure occur.

Outcome :
The long term outcome can vary from complete recovery to death within a year or two. Statistically, 30% suffer some long term adverse healtheffects from their anorexia nervosa, and as many as 25% eventually die from the disease.

Further information:
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia support organisations exist in every state. These include self help groups and groups that support families of patients.

Related conditions
Bulimia, Nutrition.