Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are believed to be lifestyle choice. They are actually serious but treatable group of illnesses by a Psychiatrist. The eating disorder spectrum include 1. Anorexia nervosa, 2. Bulimia nervosa and 3. Binge-eating disorder. They can be easily treated if diagnosed earlier. Psychiatrist, Dr. Anusa in OMR treats Eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa.
Eating disorders causes severe, observable disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors. Most observable changes are
1. Obsessions with food
2. Persistent thoughts of body weight
3. Extreme concern of body shape
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa refers to an eating disorder. The affected person has a persistent belief of indulging in over eating. They have a altered perception of their own body appearance and weight. They see themselves as overweight, even when they are normal or below normal weight.
Such people often
1. Weigh themselves very often
2. Restrict the amount of food they eat
3. Attempt or eat in very small quantities of only certain foods.
In west, Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. If untreated, the affected patients, die from complications. The complications include starvation, depression and death by suicide.
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
1. Restricted eating
2. Extreme thinness
3. Persistent and recurring thought of body shape and weight
4. Relentless pursuit to reduce weight, even when normal or healthy
5. Intense or pathological fear of gaining weight
6. Altered body image
7. Reduced self-esteem linked to body weight and shape
8. Denial of low body weight
Complications of Untreated Anorexia Nervosa
A. Thinning of the bones
B. Anemia
C. Reduced muscle mass and weakness
D. Weak, lusterless hair and nails
E. Dull, lifeless, dry and yellowish skin
F. Growth of fine, baby like hair all over the body (
G. Constipation
H. Low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
I. Damage to the structure and function of the heart
G. Brain damage
I. Feeling cold all time.
G. Tried, laziness and fatigue
I. Infertility
J. Altered Menstrual cycle in females
K. Multi-organ failure
Most often, Anorexia Nervosa affects young females. It was less reported in India. In India, increasing exposures to media, the trend of eating disorders is on the increase. Incidence and prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa is on the raise.
Dr. Anusa has undertook a huge task to estimate the burden of the Anorexia Nervosa in Indians. She has utilized her clinical skills and knowledge to make these estimates. The entire research can be read at http://www.jmhhb.org/article.asp?issn=0971-8990;year=2018;volume=23;issue=1;spage=25;epage=32;aulast=Mohandoss
Psychiatrist Dr. Anusa, treats Anorexia Nervosa using the psychotherapy and if required using medications.
For appointment of Dr Anusa, visit: https://omrpsychiatrist.in/psychiatrist-appointment-omr/
For reading more of Dr. Anusa’s research visit: https://omrpsychiatrist.in/research/