Anorexia Nervosa

We at Viam Tuam want to talk to you about something called anorexia. It’s a serious eating disorder that can be really difficult to deal with, but it is important to know that you’re not alone and that there’s help out there.

When someone has anorexia, they might:

• Be afraid of gaining weight or getting fat
• Think they are overweight even when they are very thin
• Restrict how much food they eat by:
•  Skipping meals
•  Eating only small amounts
•  Avoiding certain types of foods
• Exercise a lot, even when they are tired or not feeling well
• Focus a ton on food, calories, and weight
• Have rituals around food, like cutting it into tiny pieces or eating very slowly

Anorexia can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender, or background. It usually starts during the teenage years or in young adulthood, but we also can see it in young children. We don’t know exactly what causes anorexia, but it’s probably a mix of a lot of things, like:

• Genes (the traits you get from your family)
• How your body and brain work
• Your thoughts and feelings
• What’s going on around you, like at home or school

Anorexia can cause some really serious health problems, like:

• Weak bones that break easily
• Problems with your heart
• Feeling cold all the time Hair loss
• Feeling tired and weak
• Missing your period (for girls)
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling sad, irritable, or anxious

If you think you might have anorexia, the most important thing is to tell someone you trust and get help. There are doctors and therapists who specialize in helping people with eating disorders. They can work with you to:

• Understand why anorexia is happening
• Learn to have a healthier relationship with food and your body
• Deal with tough emotions and get back to a healthy weight in a safe way