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Anorexia Nervosa, mental illness in which a person has an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of their weight and body shape. People with this illness believe themselves to be fat even when their weight is so low that their health is in danger. A person with anorexia nervosa severely restricts food intake and usually becomes extremely thin.

Muscle deterioration
Trouble staying warm
Dry, yellowish skin
Osteoporosis
Slow heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Heart palpitations
Dizziness and fainting
Abnormal heart rhythms
Delayed Pubertal Development
Digestive problems
Shrinkage of internal organs
Bowel and urinary problems
Loss of Menstruation (Amenorrhea)
Headaches
Osteoporosis (thinning bones)
Severe dehydration
Severe constipation
Hair loss and/or growth or lanugo
Infertility
Heart failure
Weakness, fatigue, and fainting
Death

> 20 percent of people with anorexia nervosa die of medical complications related to the illness.

Aside from the evident weight loss, people with Anorexia will often excessively exercise, restrict food, have guilt and shame for eating food, and show signs of body disphormia. Depression and fatigue set in, and sufferers experience irritability and/ or mood swings, often with withdrawn behaviour. Most girls find excuses for not eating meals and develop an obsession with food, weight, and calories. Complaints of being "too fat" even when thin.

Remember, not all people fall into this specific catagory of E.D., but that does not mean it's any less serious. Look on the EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) section for more information about disordered or disturbed eating.

Sound like you? Take these tests online to see if you should talk to a doctor about your eating.

http://www.queendom.com/tests/health/eating_disorders_access.html
http://www.healthyplace.com/site/tests/psychological.asp#eating_disorders
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/quizzes/eating_profiler.asp
http://www.anred.com/slf_tst.html
http://river-centre.org/pretest.html

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