Anorexia (or also known as anorexia nervosa) is a psychological disorder that is commonly experienced by teenagers. Anorexics are obsessed with being thin; as a result, they often allow themselves to starve or vomit their food. Recent studies have shown that 90-95% of people with anorexia are adolescent girls and women. Besides being triggered by an unofficial consensus about the ideal physical form for a woman, anorexia can also be rooted in personal elements such as genetic and biological factors of a person. In addition, anxiety disorders, stress, and trauma can also trigger anorexia. One of the most common symptoms of anorexia is drastic weight loss. Worried that your girlfriend or child has anorexia? The easiest way to recognize the symptoms is to observe their physical and behavioral changes. If they show at least one of the symptoms below, immediately take them to see a doctor or professional psychologist to avoid the worst that could happen afterwards.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Observing His Physical Changes
Step 1. Observe if her body looks too thin lately; some of the signs are prominent bones (especially the collarbones and cheekbones) and a face that is too thin
This proves the occurrence of drastic weight loss due to the body's lack of fat intake.
His face also looks too thin, dull, pale, and not fresh like a lack of nutrition
Step 2. Observe if she looks tired, lacks energy, or faints easily
Constantly eating very small portions can give you a headache; the body will also feel very weak and not have the energy to do various physical activities. Someone who suffers from anorexia also tends to have difficulty getting out of bed and going about the day normally due to lack of food and energy intake.
Step 3. Observe if her nails break easily, or her hair looks brittle and falls out easily
These conditions are prone to occur in people with anorexia due to lack of nutritional intake in their bodies.
Another common symptom experienced by people with anorexia is the growth of fine hairs on the face and body; This condition is known as lanugo. Naturally, the body that lacks energy and nutrients will 'warm' itself by growing these fine hairs
Step 4. Ask about her menstrual cycle
Most adolescent girls with anorexia have irregular menstrual cycles. In fact, it is not uncommon for their menstruation to stop completely for several months. In adolescent girls aged 14-16 years, this condition is known as amenorrhea or the abnormal cessation of menstruation for a certain period.
If a teenage girl experiences amenorrhoea due to an eating disorder such as anorexia, her body is very vulnerable to other health problems. Call a doctor immediately before the condition worsens
Part 2 of 2: Observing His Changes in Behavior
Step 1. Observe if he is constantly refusing food or on a very strict diet
People with anorexia will usually issue various reasons to refuse any food that is offered to them. If no one offers food, they will not eat and often claim to have eaten when asked. Anorexics are human too; they also feel hungry but don't want to admit it and insist on not eating.
They also apply a very strict diet. Many anorexics are obsessed with counting the calories in their diet; As a result, often the caloric intake that enters their body is far below the limit required by the body. They also avoid fatty foods that have the potential to increase their weight. Low-calorie, low-fat foods they categorize as “safe foods” that they consume just to show that they are still eating
Step 2. Observe certain rituals performed during and after eating
Most people with anorexia have certain habits to control the food that enters their body. Some of them like to cut their food into small pieces or bring back the chewed food. Not infrequently they will just stir the food on their plate, without intending to eat it at all.
Does he always go to the bathroom after eating? Be careful, most likely his special ritual is to vomit up the food he has just eaten. Observe also if suddenly he has tooth decay or his breath smells bad; both are unavoidable effects of gastric acid that comes out with vomit
Step 3. Observe if he suddenly likes to exercise excessively
Most likely, this is his attempt to lose weight drastically. Many people with anorexia are trying to lose weight by exercising like crazy. Health is at stake if the energy expended is not balanced with adequate food intake.
You need to be suspicious if he is getting more and more exercise, but his appetite is not increasing or he is not even eating at all. This is a sign that his anorexia is getting worse
Step 4. Observe if he often complains about his weight and appearance
As mentioned earlier, anorexia is a psychological disorder that encourages sufferers to constantly lower themselves. He may do it while looking in the mirror or when you take him shopping for clothes. Does he often feel fat even though his body is already very thin? If so, he may indeed have anorexia.
Observe whether he likes to 'check his body condition' such as repeatedly looking in the mirror, weighing his weight, or measuring his waist circumference. In some cases, people with anorexia also like to wear loose clothing to disguise their weight
Step 5. Ask her if she is taking diet pills or weight loss supplements
In order to get a body that is considered ideal, people with anorexia will usually take diet pills or supplements that can lose weight in an instant. It's an instant-and unhealthy-effort they make to control their weight fluctuations.
He may also take laxatives that can help flush fluids out of his body. In fact, these kinds of drugs do not work effectively to reduce calories so it will not affect his weight
Step 6. Observe if he begins to withdraw from his friends, family, and social circles
Often, anorexia is accompanied by anxiety disorders, depression, and low self-esteem (especially in adolescent girls). People with anorexia can isolate themselves from friends, co-workers, family, and stop all activities that require them to socialize with other people. They are reluctant to do activities that were once their hobbies or just hang out with the people closest to them.
