Therapy Toronto Psychotherapy Definitions

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an emotional disorder characterized by severe weight loss. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of becoming obese, even as weight loss progresses, and they have a distorted view of their body size.

Significant weight loss due to self-starvation characterizes anorexia, often with serious medical complications.

People with anorexia nervosa are in immediate need of help. They are in great danger of doing irreparable damage to their body through self-starvation and excessive exercise. They are unlikely to seek help without intervention from family and friends because they truly believe that there is nothing wrong with their approach to self-nurturance. (AD)

See also Eating disorders and Bulimia nervosa.

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