Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. The disorder compels you to become so consumed by your looks and your desire to be thin that it impacts all aspects of your life. Thoughts about going on a strict diet, food and losing weight take up most of your day. You relentlessly pursue extreme measures of losing weight.

There are two types of anorexia: restricting and purging. In the restricting type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by restricting calories, such as dieting, fasting and constantly exercising. In the purging type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics to get rid of your food intake.

At its core, anorexia is not really about weight loss and food management. It is a much deeper emotional problem where you are using food as a way to control your life. Being thin makes you feel powerful and by losing more and more weight, you attempt to make yourself feel powerful and in control.

There is also a huge cultural and sometimes family pressure to being thin. Sometimes anorexia is even known to run in families.

When to seek expert advise

If you or a loved one has an unhealthy attitude about eating and weight loss, seek help from your doctor. You can obtain additional information and expert medical advice from a doctor working with the Department of Psychiatry​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital.