Anorexia
What is it
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder.
People with anorexia worry all the time about food, eating, their body weight or the shape of their body. They eat very little or exercise too much, which can mean they lose a lot of weight. As a result, people with anorexia can experience physical symptoms such as fatigue and loss of periods as well as psychological symptoms such as feeling low and withdrawing from friends and family.
Feelings and behaviours
- Being preoccupied with (or your mind being very full of thoughts about) weight, food, nutritional information like calories and fat grams, or dieting
- Making frequent comments about feeling ‘fat’
- Not being able to maintain a body weight that’s appropriate for your age, height, and build
- Being really concerned about your body size and shape
- Trying to stick to an excessive, rigid exercise regime – despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
- Being uncomfortable eating around others
- Withdrawing from usual friends and activities
- Having extreme mood swings
- Chewing your food excessively (a lot more than you need to)
- Dressing in layers to hide your weight loss or stay warm
Physical signs
- Losing lots of weight (this might be rapid, which means it happens very quickly)
- Changes in periods or being unable to get an erection
- Digestive problems or constipation
- Difficulties concentrating
- Dizziness, especially when you stand up
- Fainting (you might hear this being called syncope)
- Your bones getting thinner
- Feeling cold all the time
- Sleep problems
- Dental problems (such as tooth decay and gum disease)
- Dry skin and hair, brittle nails, and hair loss from your scalp
- Fine, downy (soft) hair growing on body
- Muscle weakness (including to your heart muscle)
- Feeling very tired
- Swollen feet and ankles
What’s going on
Interviews, art, blogs, and tips about mental health and wellbeing.
An animation answering the question ‘What are eating disorders?’
The Worth Warrior app is designed to help young people manage negative body image, low self-worth, and related eating difficulties or disorders.
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It can be difficult to know how to start a conversation about mental health. Here are some tips and conversation starters.
Get support for how you’re feeling
Get mental health support for young people
Information about mental health services (including CAMHS) if you’re a young person in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster.
Digital mental health support for young people across the UK
Information about apps, websites, and other digital tools that exist to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.