Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Recognize the physical signals
• Part 2 of 2: Recognizing the behavioral characteristics

Anorexia is an eating disorder common among teenagers, especially young girls, as approximately 90-95% of anorexia patients are young girls and women. This eating disorder can stem from social pressures to look slim or have a certain body weight, or from personal factors such as genetics or biology and personal factors such as fear, stress, or trauma. The most common symptom of anorexia is extreme thinness or weight loss. However, there are other physical and behavioral signs that you can watch out for in your young daughter or girlfriend to determine if she is struggling with anorexia. If she shows any of these symptoms or signs, suggest that she seek treatment for this potentially life-threatening illness.

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Part 1 of 2: Recognize the physical signals

1. Notice if she is underweight, with protruding bones and a sunken appearance. One of the main symptoms of extreme weight loss is protruding bones, especially the collarbones and the bones of the chest. This is due to the lack of body fat on her body leading to visible bones under the skin.
   • Her face also appears sunken, with protruding cheekbones, and she looks overly pale or malnourished.
2. Check if she looks tired, weak and has fainting. Eating too little for an extended period of time can lead to signs of fatigue, such as dizziness, fainting and an inability to be physically active. Someone with anorexia may also find it difficult to get out of bed doing everyday tasks, due to the extremely low energy level, by not eating properly or eating at all.
3. Notice if her nails are brittle and her hair breaks easily, or if it is starting to fall out. Due to a lack of nutrients, her nails can easily break or look brittle. In addition, her hair can fall out or break off easily into large pieces.
   • Another well-known symptom of anorexia is the development of fine, downy hair on the face and body, a condition known as lanugo. This is due to the body's attempts to stay warm, despite a lack of nutrients and energy through food and food.
4. Ask her if she has irregular periods or if she is not having periods. Many young women who suffer from anorexia no longer have their periods or have irregular periods. In girls 14-16 years old, this condition is called amenorrhea or absent menstruation.
   • If a young girl develops amenorrhea due to an eating disorder such as anorexia, she is at risk for other health issues and will need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Part 2 of 2: Recognizing the behavioral characteristics

1. Notice if she refuses to eat or is on a very strict diet. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the patient refuses to eat, trying to reach a certain body weight. If a person is anorexic, she will often refuse to eat or make excuses about why she is not eating. She may also skip meals or pretend to have eaten when in fact she hasn't. Although she may look hungry, she can deny her hunger and refuse to eat.
   • In addition, she can create a very restrictive diet for herself, count calories so that she eats significantly fewer calories than her body needs, or eat only low-fat foods that she thinks will not lead to weight gain. These are considered "safe" foods, and can be used as an excuse to show that she is eating when, in fact, she is eating far less than she needs for a healthy diet.
2. Be aware of all the rituals she has developed around food. Many young girls with anorexia develop food rituals to control themselves when they eat. She can push her food around on her plate pretending to eat, or she can poke some of the food on her fork, but not actually eat the food on her plate. She can also cut her food into small pieces or chew food and then spit it out again.
   • She may also have a food ritual where she gives up everything after eating. Notice if she goes to the bathroom after every meal and has problems with tooth decay or bad breath, both of which are caused by the acid in the vomit.
3. Check if she is exercising excessively or has an extreme training schedule. This is likely due to a desire to control her weight and feel that she can maintain her weight loss. Many anorexic patients are extremely focused on their exercise regimen and exercise daily or several times a day in an effort to maintain weight.
   • Also, notice if she's been exercising more heavily, without her appetite increasing, or if she is not eating at all. This could be a sign that her anorexia is getting worse and she is using her exercise regimen as a way to control her weight.
4. Notice if she's complaining about her weight or putting down her appearance. Anorexia is also a psychological condition where the patient constantly complains about her weight or appearance. She may act casually while looking in the mirror, or you may find she is dissatisfied with her appearance when the two of you go shopping or going out together. She may also talk a lot about her perceived obesity or how unattractive she is, that she wants a thinner body, even if she already appears thin.
   • She can also perform "body checks" where she repeatedly weighs herself, measures her waist and checks her body in front of the mirror. Many anorexic patients also wear baggy clothes to hide their bodies or to avoid noticing their own weight.
5. Ask her if she is taking diet pills or weight loss supplements. In an effort to lose weight, she can take diet pills and use supplements to lose weight and speed up this process. Using these substances is an important part of trying not to gain weight and lose weight.
   • She may also be taking laxatives or diuretics, which are agents to remove water from the body. In fact, all of these drugs have little effect on the calories she takes in from food, and ultimately do not affect her weight.
6. Notice if she separates herself from friends, family, and social situations. Anorexia is often associated with depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, especially in young girls. A person with anorexia may isolate themselves from friends and family and avoid social situations or activities. She may refuse to participate in activities she enjoyed in the past or isolate herself from friends or family that she previously enjoyed interacting with.
   • Her anorexia may adversely affect her performance at school, her ability to socialize with peers, and her ability to perform tasks at work or at home. These behavioral shifts may indicate that she is anorexic and you need support and help to seek treatment for this disease.