Anorexia Nervosa (cont.)

Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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When to Seek Medical Care

Again, there is no home remedy for anorexia nervosa. Any person who displays symptoms of anorexia nervosa (under eating, inducing vomiting, or abusing laxatives in an attempt to lose weight) needs medical and psychiatric help. Some specialists are adept at treating these very challenging patients. This eating disorder can cause severe medical complications or death if not treated.

Anorexia nervosa can result in life-threatening medical problems. The following signs and symptoms indicate the need for emergency evaluation:

• Suicide is a major cause of death in people with anorexia nervosa. Any person with severe depression or suicidal thoughts or statements needs to be brought to the hospital's emergency department immediately. Call 911 for an ambulance if you believe there is even a remote possibility of imminent suicide.
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Profuse vomiting or diarrhea
• Blood in vomit or diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Often the doctor may choose to admit a person with anorexia to the hospital for a variety of medical or psychiatric reasons.
• The person may develop medical problems (cardiac, endocrine, electrolyte) from starvation, vomiting, diuretic, laxative abuse, or appetite-suppressant abuse.
• Outpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa is often unsuccessful. Someone with this disease may need prolonged treatment (including cognitive, behavioral, drug, and counseling or some combination) in a structured hospital environment or special inpatient eating disorders program to have their best chance of survival.