People who have anorexia are very anxious about their weight and body shape. They try to keep their weight as low as possible by strictly controlling what they eat. Many people with anorexia will also exercise excessively.
They may also use other methods to try to control their weight, like using laxatives, vomiting after eating, and taking stimulant drugs.
They may also use other methods to try to control their weight, like using laxatives, vomiting after eating, and taking stimulant drugs.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia include:
fear of ‘being fat’ or gaining weight
problems with self-esteem and body image when it comes to food and weight
restricting food intake
keeping your body weight low, to the point it’s unhealthy
Restricting your food intake means your body isn’t getting enough energy or nutrition. This can lead to other physical symptoms.
Other signs of anorexia
Eating too little for a long time can cause physical symptoms, like:
fine downy hair (lanugo) growing on the body
more hair on the face
pubic hair becoming sparse and thin
slow or irregular heartbeat
People with anorexia may also:
have pain in their abdomen (tummy)
feel bloated or constipated
have swelling in their feet, hands or face
feel very tired
have low blood pressure (hypotension)
feel cold or have a low body temperature
feel light-headed or dizzy
In children with anorexia, puberty and the associated growth spurt may be delayed. They may gain less weight than expected for someone going through puberty. They might be shorter than other people of the same age.
If you get periods and you have anorexia, your periods may stop. Anorexia can also lead to infertility, for both men and women.