Why can bulimia and anorexia lead to suicide? What you need to know about eating disorders

Anorexia is based on a neuropsychiatric disorder that manifests itself as a fear of obesity. Looking at themselves in the mirror, even thin people who have this pathology see themselves as fat. Inadequately perceiving their own appearance, they artificially induce vomiting after eating, exhaust themselves with active sports training, and do not eat anything for several days. As a result, body weight begins to rapidly decrease, stomach pain occurs, the skin becomes pale, and women experience amenorrhea.

Classification of the disease

The classification of anorexia is based on the mechanism of its development. Doctors distinguish three types of disease:

• neurotic anorexia (parts of the cerebral cortex become overexcited due to excessive simulation of negative emotions);
• neuropsychiatric (the patient does not eat anything because of a desire to lose weight, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder);
• neurodynamic anorexia (appetite disappears due to constant exposure to strong irritating factors, for example, due to unbearable pain).

A separate group includes anorexia as a result of Kanner's syndrome and hypothalamic insufficiency in young children.

Symptoms of anorexia

Anorexia can be suspected by determining the patient's body mass index. Normally it ranges from 18 to 25 kg/m2, with anorexia it is less than 16 kg/m2. This indicator is calculated using a simple formula: mass (kg)/(height (m))2.

Signs of anorexia nervosa also include:

• the desire to lose weight at any cost, despite the fact that the weight is already below normal;
• phobic fear of being overweight;
• constant counting of calories eaten, grams gained per day/week;
• focusing on weight loss issues, studying newfangled diets and weight loss medications;
• frequent refusal to eat (the patient assures that he is not yet hungry, has already eaten, or has recently eaten);
• ritual meal (food is cut into tiny pieces and chewed very thoroughly, dishes are served in small portions);
• feeling of guilt after eating (the patient induces vomiting);
• not attending events where snacks are served;
• wearing loose clothing to hide non-existent excess weight from others;
• desire for solitude;
• quarrels with people who convince people of the need to eat and gain weight;
• regularly performing complex physical exercises to lose weight;
• sleep disturbances, loss of interest in a favorite hobby;
• decreased performance, withdrawal;
• refusal to seek medical help.

Among the physiological signs of anorexia:

• reduction in body weight by a third or more;
• frequent dizziness, fainting;
• the appearance of vellus hair on the body;
• menstrual disorder/complete cessation of menstruation;
• persistent feeling of cold (even when in a warm room).

What physiological changes occur in the body during prolonged fasting?

If the body does not receive nutrients for a long time, dystrophy develops. Afterwards it is replaced by cachexia (severe degree of exhaustion). It manifests itself:

• bradycardia;
• significant decrease in blood pressure;
• pale skin, blue tip of the nose, fingers;
• limbs that are cold to the touch;
• increased dry skin;
• the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin;
• hair loss/brittleness;
• almost complete absence of subcutaneous fat;
• muscle atrophy;
• dystrophic changes in internal organs;
• hemorrhages, swelling.

If you notice similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with the consequences.

Characteristics of anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is considered a mental disorder. When gaining weight, a person unconsciously refuses to accept his own body. First, there is dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, reflection in the mirror. The patient tries to correct the situation by losing weight, but chooses the wrong path - refusing to eat, strict diets, physical activity without reasonable restrictions, using appetite suppressants, diuretics, laxatives, and also resorting to inducing vomiting after eating. So the patient achieves the desired result, but it no longer satisfies him. With the correct proportions, a person considers himself obese and continues weight loss measures. Due to improper eating behavior, all organs and systems of the body suffer. First of all, the functioning of the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, urine and genital area is disrupted, and immunity is reduced.

The patient looks exhausted, excessive thinness is perceived by him as beauty, but disturbances in the functioning of the body overshadow life.

Diagnosis of anorexia

It is quite simple to establish the presence of anorexia in a patient - pathological thinness always indicates the disease. Doctor:

• draws attention to exhaustion, lack of appetite;
• calculates body mass index.

During the examination, he finds out how often and what the patient eats, whether he has chronic diseases, and certain complaints about poor health.

Additionally, the following may be prescribed:

• X-ray of the skull;
• CT scan of the head.

These methods make it possible to exclude a tumor of the hypothalamus as the cause of anorexia.

Causes of anorexia

The exact cause of anorexia is difficult to name.

This is a complex disease that can occur due to a combination of several factors.

It can begin after a stressful event, such as a breakup, moving to a new place, or the passing of a loved one.

May be caused by hereditary biological and genetic characteristics. For example, innate traits such as perfectionism and sensitivity, which are associated with the development of anorexia, may predispose a person to an eating disorder.

Genetics

Twin studies have shown that 30-75 percent of anorexia cases are due to genetic predisposition.

Culture

Modern Western culture places a strong emphasis on thinness, especially for women. Many equate self-esteem, success with their weight and size, which forces them to go to extreme measures to achieve the ideal.

Peer pressure

A person who experiences strong social pressure is more likely to suffer from anorexia. This phenomenon is common among teenagers, who are heavily influenced by the opinions of their peers.

Age

Anorexia can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in young people, most often in teenagers and least often in those over 40.

Floor

Approximately 90-95 percent of all cases of anorexia occur in girls or women.

Cases of anorexia in the family

If someone in the family (parent, child or sister) suffered from anorexia, this increases the risk.

Certain professions

Models, athletes and entertainers (dancers, actors) are at risk because they feel more pressure to look a certain way.

Turning points in life

Any major life change, such as changing schools or jobs, breaking up with a partner, or losing a loved one, can increase the risk of developing anorexia and similar eating disorders.

Psychological reasons

Low self-esteem, strong and painful experiences, and psychological trauma often contribute to the development of anorexia.

Treatment of anorexia

Treatment of anorexia in women and men is aimed at normalizing weight and restoring metabolic processes. To improve the patient’s well-being, nutrient solutions are administered intravenously. Tube feeding is also possible. The basis of the diet should be high-calorie protein dishes that are easily digestible by the body.

To eliminate neurogenic factors, the patient is referred for consultation to a psychotherapist. It is important that continuous monitoring of the adequacy of his nutrition is carried out.

It should be noted that force-feeding the patient does not eliminate psychological problems, and therefore cannot completely cure anorexia. If the anorexic is not convinced that he should gain weight after being discharged from the hospital, he will again begin to follow a strict diet, which will ultimately lead himself to starvation.

It is very important that the patient is assisted by relatives. It is also mandatory to work with a psychotherapist, during which correction of obsessive states will be carried out, distraction from fixation on one’s own appearance, calorie content of food, and “podium” beauty standards. When treating adolescent anorexics, family therapy is most effective.

If anorexia develops due to tuberculosis, a tumor or a chronic infection, the root cause is first eliminated.

Stages of anorexia

The degrees of anorexia involve several stages of development, from its beginning to its end, if treatment is not implemented:

1. At the first stage, discomfort is felt from the appearance, a feeling of fullness and excess weight arises. In the subconscious, the usual aspects of eating behavior are being transformed into new ones aimed at losing weight. Even if there are actually no extra pounds, their presence is felt. The words of close relatives about the need to change something in themselves are perceived as an insult and are not taken into account.
2. At the second stage - anorectic, the individual takes real steps to lose weight, leading to the loss of half of the existing volume. Organs are damaged, which provokes serious concomitant diseases. Outwardly, he becomes exhausted, due to a lack of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial microelements, hair falls out, nails peel, teeth crumble, but his intellect remains. With the inflammatory process of the gastrointestinal tract, dark circles appear under the eyes and the skin becomes dry.
3. The cachectic degree is characterized by cardinal changes in the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, stopping the hormonal process. Exhaustion turns into dystrophy, muscles and heart quickly wear out, blood circulation is impaired, which affects the color of the skin (it turns blue). Subconsciously changed attitudes do not allow the sufferer to see the problem and seek help, tries to isolate himself from society, and reduces physical activity. If treatment is not started, there is a risk of death.
4. The reduction stage begins when a referral for hospital stay is issued. Under the supervision of a nutritionist, kilograms are gained, but psychological problems remain, so there is a desire to lose weight again. These relapses also occur after rehabilitation, so constant support from a psychotherapist is indicated during 2 years of recovery.

Relatives and friends of the addict are advised to stay nearby to prevent relapse. After all, at any moment he risks succumbing to the influence of the disorder and taking the path of meaningless weight loss for himself.

Why is anorexia dangerous?

Anorexia can lead to serious problems:

• infertility;
• pancreatitis;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• osteoporosis;
• hormonal disorders;
• hypovitaminosis;
• extreme exhaustion, lack of subcutaneous fat;
• swelling;
• destruction of muscle fibers;
• decreased immunity.

One in five people (usually young girls) with anorexia nervosa dies. This is a very terrible disease, because, having the opportunity to eat normally, the patient tortures himself with endless hunger strikes.

Quite often, having realized their problem, anorexics can no longer become healthy. Over many years of abuse of their body, they deprive it of the ability to function normally. As a result, any swallowed food ends up on the floor, constant stomach pain torments, and the dream of becoming a mother becomes impossible for a woman.

Prevention of anorexia

Individuals who are prone to anorexia and are very careful about their weight should:

• undergo an annual consultation with a psychotherapist;
• undergo routine medical examinations;
• eat a balanced and rational diet;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• give up any extreme diets;
• ensure that their weight does not go beyond the normal body mass index.

This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.

Anorexia in children and adolescents

The course of anorexia in children and adolescents differs from pathological changes in adult men and women.

A child is an unformed personality who takes the words of others to heart, subtly feeling the lack of attention from parents, the indifference of friends and close relatives. At risk are minors with insufficient family control, lack of mutual understanding with mom and dad, and lack of care, love, warmth, and support. Particular emphasis is placed on minors who suffer insults and humiliation in the school community; they are prone to conflicts over appearance, because their peers consider them not like everyone else.

Symptoms of the disease are often not visible due to conflicts in the family and the closure of the individual from adults, mistrust of innermost thoughts and desires. The teenager sharply loses volume, sleep is disturbed, weakness, apathy, irritability are noted, due to anemia the skin turns pale, the growth of nails and hair worsens, the development of infections and viruses due to low immunity, prolonged healing of injuries and wounds. Physiologically, one feels an increased heart rate, attacks of shortness of breath, nausea, swelling of the arms and legs.

For diagnostics the following are used:

• blood test (biochemical, glucose, infection), urine;
• when detecting disturbances in the activity of the heart - an electrocardiogram;
• in case of damage to the gastrointestinal tract - FEGDS.
• consultation with a psychologist, psychiatrist and nutritionist.

The treatment process is divided into several stages:

1. The vital functions of the body are corrected and brought into proper form. The use of medications under the supervision of medical professionals normalizes water-salt metabolism and restores nutrient tolerance. It is imperative to re-develop the skill of accepting and assimilating food. This period takes up to 2 weeks.
2. When the subconscious preparation is completed and ready to eat food in the required quantities and the established calorie content, a diet is developed. In parallel, a psychotherapist works with the teenager to help overcome intrapersonal conflicts and barriers to recovery. Within 1 month there is a gradual weight gain.
3. Rehabilitation taking place at home means returning to the normal rhythm of life and daily routine, but being in constant contact with a pediatrician and psychotherapist to prevent relapses. The final recovery is carried out in a cozy, favorable atmosphere, since before discharge from the hospital, parents and close relatives are consulted with a psychologist who explains the peculiarities of communication.

Moms and dads need to understand that it is better to prevent anorexia than to go through a long rehabilitation period with concerns about future health. It is necessary to be in a trusting relationship with a teenager, to listen to his problems and experiences.