Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms

• With anorexia nervosa, you have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat despite the fact that you may be underweight.
  
  
• You may use one or more of the following methods to lose weight.

• Undereating
  
  
• Excessive exercise
  
  
• Vomiting
  
  
• Laxative use
  
  
• Diuretic use (increases amount of urination)

• Usually people do these things secretively. For instance, if eating with others, a person with anorexia may move food around on a plate or place some food in a napkin to hide it. If confronted by these unusual behaviors, the person may deny or refuse to discuss them.
  
  
• Some of the following signs may also be brought about by starvation or by weight reduction methods:
  
  
  • Constipation or diarrhea
    
    
  • Fatigue
    
    
  • Menstrual periods stop or puberty is delayed
    
    
  • Hand injuries from inducing vomiting
    
    
  • Decayed teeth from stomach acid
    
    
  • Yellowing of skin
    
    
  • Kidney stones
    
    
  • Depression
  
  
• Anorexia is more common among teen-aged women involved in gymnastics, ballet, or modeling in which being thin is thought to be a benefit.