This content mentions body image or generally discusses weight, eating disorders, anxiety and depression, which some people may find triggering.

Summary

What are the symptoms of anorexia?

What causes anorexia?

What help is available?

Ways you can look after yourself

 

 

 

Anorexia nervosa (commonly referred to as anorexia) is an eating disorder and a serious mental health problem. Someone with anorexia often has an intense fear of gaining weight and may have a distorted view of their body, thinking they’re fat even when they’re underweight.

 

People often think anorexia is about dieting, but it’s more complicated than that. It’s linked to low self-esteem, negative body image and many other factors.

 

Anyone can be affected by anorexia. While young women more commonly report it, anorexia is increasingly being reported by men and boys, women over the age of 40, and children as young as seven.

 

The idea of recovery might feel difficult or scary if you're afraid of putting on weight or worried about losing control. You might not feel ready to think about it yet. Just remember that it's possible to feel better, even if it takes a while to get there.

 

 

What are the symptoms of anorexia?

 

If you have anorexia, you may feel:

 

afraid of putting on weight or being fat

preoccupied with your weight

that food dominates your thoughts

as though your body is bigger or a different shape than it really is

anxious, especially around mealtimes

lacking in confidence and self-esteem

irritable and moody

that you have very high standards for yourself or you are a perfectionist

You may also underestimate or deny that you have a problem, even after you’ve been diagnosed.

 

The physical signs of anorexia include:

 

weight loss

lack of sexual interest

difficulty sleeping

dizziness

hair loss

constipation, bloating and stomach pains

feeling cold and weak

soft downy hair (lanugo) growing all over your body

difficulty concentrating

low blood pressure

periods stopping or becoming irregular

 

Anorexia can affect your behaviour. You might:

 

reduce your food intake or stop eating altogether

spend a lot of time counting calories

avoid food you think is fattening

skip meals

hide food or throw it away

cut food into tiny pieces to make it less obvious you haven’t eaten much or to make it easier to swallow

develop rules and rituals around eating, such as listing ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods

eat very slowly

exercise a lot

take pills that claim to reduce your appetite or speed up your metabolism

make yourself sick or use laxatives

withdraw from other people and shut yourself off from the world

With other people, you may lie about what you’ve eaten, make excuses about why you’re not eating or pretend you’ve eaten earlier. You might also lie about how much weight you’ve lost.

 

What causes anorexia?

 

There is no single cause of anorexia. It usually develops because of a combination of factors.

 

Common traits

 

People with anorexia often have common traits, including:

 

low self-esteem, feeling worthless or like you’re not good enough. Losing weight can start to feel like a sense of achievement or a way to feel a sense of worth

perfectionism

having other mental health conditions, particularly depression, self-harm and anxiety

finding it hard to handle stress and cope with life

obsessive or compulsive behaviours (read our page on obsessive-compulsive disorder)

 

Social and cultural pressure

 

Society places a lot of importance on body image, meaning we’re constantly told that how we look reflects our worth. This can leave us feeling ashamed if we don’t fit the model of a ‘good body’.

 

While these pressures don’t cause eating disorders, they can make us feel we’re not good enough or negatively affect our self-esteem. This can trigger an eating disorder in people already vulnerable to developing one.

 

Biological and genetic factors

 

Research shows there may be genetic links to anorexia. The brain chemicals that control our hunger, appetite and digestion can also make us more likely to develop anorexia. If we have too much or too little of these brain chemicals or are particularly sensitive to them, our appetite and mood can be affected.

 

 

What help is available?

 

 

Living with anorexia can be incredibly difficult, but so too can the idea of recovery. If anorexia has become a big part of your identity, you might wonder who you'll be without it. You might be afraid of not being in control of your food or of how your body might change. It can take time to feel ready to try to recover. Think about what recovery might look like to you and what the benefits could be. Change is possible, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

 

If you think you have anorexia, start by talking to your GP. They may not be an expert in treating eating disorders, but they will be able to assess any physical symptoms and then refer you to specialist eating disorder services.

 

Talking therapies

 

Talking therapies can help you identify the feelings and fears that triggered your anorexia and help you develop a healthier attitude towards food and your body. You may be offered:

 

Cognitive analytical therapy (CAT). This looks at past experiences and events to help you understand why you think, feel and behave the way you do now. Your therapist will then help you develop new tools to cope in a healthier way

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This focuses on identifying and changing the thoughts and beliefs that may trigger your anorexia. Your therapist will help you understand and change disordered thoughts such as ‘everyone thinks I am fat’. You may set homework and goals around challenging any unhealthy rules you have around food.

 

Support for children and young people

 

The ‘Maudsley Approach’ is a type of therapy to help children and young people with anorexia. It involves parents taking an active role in helping to get their child’s weight to a normal level, giving control of eating choices back to the child and then encouraging them to develop healthy independence.

 

Medication

 

You may be offered antidepressants alongside self-help or therapy to manage other conditions such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, antidepressants shouldn’t be the only treatment you’re offered.

 

Inpatient treatment

 

Most people with anorexia won’t need to go to hospital. However, if your weight is very low, you may be admitted. Your treatment could involve counselling, group and family therapy, and working with a dietician and mental health team.

 

 

Ways you can look after yourself

 

It’s difficult to recover from an eating disorder on your own, but there are things you can try alongside treatment and support. Beat has many tips for recovery, and Mind has ideas for self-care, including managing relapses, changing unhealthy routines and being careful online.

 

You may find that support groups are useful. It can be comforting to talk to others with the same feelings and experiences. You could join Beat’s online support group for people with anorexia.