Anorexia translates to "loss of appetite" and though this may appear to be what is going on with an anorexic, it couldn't be further from the truth. Anorexics have not lost their appetites. They have made a willful decision to stop eating (or to eat almost nothing) in order to lose weight. The persistent hunger, which is often physically painful, is also a euphoric reminder of their powerful control. As their bodies seem to melt away, these feelings of power and control escalate. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that often starts in the teenage years and affects many more girls than boys. It is important to note, however, that there are young children and adults who also suffer from this illness. It is dangerous, it is ugly, and it is life-threatening.
Basic Signs of Anorexia
A body weight of about 85% (or less) of what would be considered normal
A deliberate and obsessive starvation plan
Lying about, denying, and hiding the truth
Terror at the thought of gaining weight
Outward denial of hunger
Compulsive and relentless exercising
Feelings of being fat as part of a distorted body perception
Amennoriah (cessation of normal menstrual periods)
Inability to stay warm
Hair loss (sometimes)
Possible lanugo growth (fine hair over body)
Why Anorexia?
It is hard to understand deliberate, ongoing starvation in girls who seem to have it all. Quite often, anorexics are those girls of solid socioeconomic status who appear to be happy and successful. They are the good students, the kids involved in community activities, the athletes. And yet, something is terribly wrong.
Different theories exist as to why anorexics start the diet that unravels the façade of happiness. At an age where life seems to spin out of control, the body becomes one area where total control can be gained. The diet may start out as the means to lose a few pounds, but it becomes addictive. Anorexics seek perfection, and as skin wraps tighter and tighter over bone, they get closer to their goal, but never close enough.
Can't We Just Make Her Eat?
It seems illogical that in this day and age, we can watch a child slip away through willful starvation when she is surrounded by food and a concerned family. An anorexic cannot stop losing weight, because she is terrified that once she stops, the process will reverse itself, and she will not be able to stop eating. Her distorted body image and ritualistic behaviors keep her imprisoned on a track of starvation. She will lie about what she has eaten in order to protect her mission. Anorexics are sneaky. They hide food, they discard food, and they often purge their systems if they lose control, or are forced to eat food.
You cannot "just make her eat" because she plans each minute, each hour and each day around "not eating." The problem is bigger than a plate of food and a stern tone.