If you are wondering “Am I anorexic?” you may feel isolated and frightened about the future. The
following information has been assembled to answer the question “Am I anorexic?” Moreover, it will also talk about the best anorexia treatment options that exist today.
What is Anorexia?
There are many different types of eating disorders. Anorexia is one type of disordered eating that often results in an extreme loss of weight, nutritional deficiencies, and compulsive behaviors surrounding food. Learning to recognize the signs of anorexia will help you obtain the right kind of treatment.
Am I Anorexic?
The signs of anorexia vary among different individuals. However, the following list highlights some of the most common symptoms associated with this illness:
Excessive Weight Loss
Those with anorexia may become extremely thin. This type of excessive weight loss may be very alarming to friends and loved ones who are concerned about the person’s health. In some cases, it may be hard to detect weight loss if the person tries to hide the problem with baggy clothes.
Obsessive Focus on Food
Those with eating disorders often focus a lot of their time on food preparation, shopping for food, or counting calories. Therefore, when they are not eating, they may be planning for the next time. Writing down all meals, logging calories, and performing ritualistic exercise routines are also common signs of a problem.
Mood and Sleep Disturbances
Just the simple act of obsessively thinking about food can create anxiety and restlessness. These emotional imbalances can lead to severe sleep issues. For some people, nutritional deficiencies caused by the illness can also worsen sleep problems.
Intestinal Problems
Severe food restriction can result in stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and similar types of gastrointestinal complaints. Some people suffering from anorexia may also fail to consume enough liquids. This can result in additional problems with dehydration.
Loss of Menstrual Cycle
Females that struggle with anorexia may find that their menstrual cycles stop entirely. Others may find that their cycles become irregular. This problem can result from a hormonal imbalance caused by being underweight.
Inability to Perform Daily Functions
Many people with anorexia begin to change their daily routines. Those still in school may struggle to keep up with their classes. Others may have difficulty maintaining their job or performing household chores.
Common Treatment Tools for Anorexia
Seeing the signs when you ask “Am I anorexic?” may mean that professional treatment is in order. Some of the top eating disorder treatment centers across the country rely on classic forms of therapy to correct this serious illness.
Most treatment plans begin with a careful needs assessment. From there, a well-rounded therapeutic plan may include personal counseling, group therapy sessions, family counseling, and cognitive-behavioral modification. In some cases, prescription medications can also help control the accompanying mood or emotional disorders.
Suffering from anorexia does not have to continue to impact your life negatively. When the signs of anorexia present themselves, reach out for professional help. Many anorexia treatment programs are available to help you succeed in your fight against this devastating illness.
