Generally, an observation of physical symptoms and a personal history will quickly confirm the diagnosis of anorexia. The standard criteria for diagnosing anorexia nervosa are:
- The patient's refusal to maintain a body weight normal for age and height.
- Intense fear of becoming fat even though underweight.
- A distorted self-image that results in diminished self-confidence.
- Denial of the seriousness of emaciation and starvation.
- Periods stop for at least three months for females who have started menstruating.
The physician then categorizes the anorexia further:
- Restricting Type
- Binge-purging Type
Because the disorder rarely shows up in men, physicians may not be on the lookout for it in male patients, even if they show classic symptoms of anorexia. Physicians should be very aware of these symptoms in anyone, particularly in athletes and dancers.
Chantelle
Now that i've overcome anorexia there's no way i ever want to go back there. I remember all that was important for me was being thin and that I'd be able to see my protruding bones in the mirror...
Malcolm
Most children are either fat or thin. I was the former. This wasn't a problem until I started to realize that it was more acceptable to be thin. This realization made me want...
Emma
I began my recovery journey from anorexia when I was 16 years old. It was a gradual process and a hard one, but once I truly felt that I wanted to get better and be healthy and happy, the steps moved quicker...