Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that is characterized by intentional weight loss, restriction of food, and altered perception of one’s body. Causes, BMI, test, treatment and support.
Definition: what is anorexia nervosa?
According to the definition of DSM-5diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, anorexia nervosa is characterized by “a restriction of energy intake in relation to needs drive to significantly lower weight taking into account age, sex, developmental stage and physical health“. Psychiatrist Emanuel Loeb, psychiatrist, adds that people with anorexia nervosa have “altered weight perception and or body shape and often a lack of recognition of the severity of current thinness“.
What are the typical symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
There are three essential characteristics to anorexia nervosa according to the DSM-5:
► A prolonged restriction energy inputs;
► An intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain;
► An alteration in the perception of weight or the shape of his own body.
Some people with anorexia nervosa, “show purgative behavior by induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas“, reports the Doctor. The threshold of severity, in adults, is established from the current body mass index (BMI), it is considered to be:
- light if BMI ≥ 17 kg/m2
- AVERAGE if BMI 16-16.99 kg/m2
- severe if BMI 15-15.99 kg/m2
- extreme if the BMI < 15 kg/m2.
What are the possible causes of anorexia nervosa?
“The causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown., reports Dr. Loeb, there is however several risk factors“. Thus the DSM-5 explains that anorexia nervosa usually begins in adolescence or early adulthoodrarely before puberty or after the age of 40, “the onset of the disorder is often associated with a stressful life event, such as leaving home for college“. Patients with anorexia are mostly women, the sex ratio is 1 man for 10 affected patients. “Bipolar, depressive and anxiety disorders often coexist with anorexia nervosa“reports the manual, substance use disorder may be comorbid with anorexia nervosa”. Finally, the environment and culture can affect individuals, “in professions that value thinness, for example in top models and athletesthe risk is increased“.
Diagnosis: is there a test to detect anorexia nervosa?
The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa can be made byanamnesis, that is to say the information provided to the doctor by the patient or his entourage on the history of the disease or these circumstances and on the clinical and biological examinations. “We will also evaluate the repercussions of the disease thanks to biological analyzes and the passage of an electrocardiogram“, reports Dr. Loeb.
Who to consult in case of anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa requires multi-professional support“depending on the severity of the disease and its consequences, the patient may be required to consult a psychiatrist or psychologisthis attending physician and sometimes a psychomotrician“, reports psychiatrist Emanuel Loeb.
“The first treatment is to support people with as little judgment as possible“, explains the psychiatrist. The management of anorexia nervosa is longthe patient must be accompanied by different health professionals “it must first be ensured that the consequences of the disease will not be life-threatening and counteract the state of malnutrition“. Suicidal risk is high in people with anorexia nervosa,”with reported rates in the range of 12 in 100,000 over one year“, informs the DSM-5, the comprehensive care of people with anorexia nervosa should include an assessment of suicidal behavior and ideation as well as other suicidal factors”.
Thanks to doctor Emanuel Loeb, psychiatrist in Paris,