Warning Signs You May be Anorexic

by Susan Patterson

Anorexia affects more than 1% of teenage girls in America, but many young adults also suffer from this eating disorder. People with anorexia are obsessed with their weight and usually undertake dangerous methods to get thin. Distorted body images cause people to believe that they are fat when they are actually underweight, and up to 10% of the teenagers who develop anorexia will die as a result of it.

Besides an obsession with weight and calories, symptoms of anorexia include starvation, brittle skin, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, and constant fatigue. Several serious medical conditions can result, including death. People with anorexia can get shrunken bones, mineral loss, brittle skin, irregular heartbeat and low body temperature. They are also usually 15% under their normal body weight.

Many people become anorexic looking for quick weight loss. Somewhere in their dieting and exercise routines they become obsessed with being the perfect weight. They continue to starve themselves and subject themselves to harsh exercise routines long after they have reached a healthy weight. Weakness and constant tiring become normal, and they are never satisfied with the results. Many will have to be hospitalized and monitored for months afterward to make sure they are eating properly.

If you find yourself skipping meals and overtraining, be careful. Anorexia starts with bad habits and becomes an obsession that can take a lifetime to break. Always eat sensible meals and exercise moderately. If you find that you are not losing weight the way you want or hunger is a problem, try using a natural appetite suppressant like hoodia. The goal is not starvation, but to get over those trouble times when cravings arise. Keep your doctor informed about any plans you have, and get his consent before starting your diet. Don’t risk your life just to lose a couple of pounds.