Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

when a person refuses to eat an adequate amount of food, or is unable to maintain the minimal weight for a person’s BMI.

Question 2

features

Answer 2

• 90-95% of people with AN are female
• 1 in 10 cases of AN are males
• more common in western cultures (19% of British girls have AN)
• AN has one of the highest morality rates of any mental illness

Question 3

physical symptoms

Answer 3

• thin appearance
• dizziness
• physical weakness

Question 4

behavioural symptoms

Answer 4

• hiding food
• missing meals (fasting)
• excessively counting calories

Question 5

emotional symptoms

Answer 5

• depression
• low self esteem
• fear of weight gain

Question 6

cognitive symptoms

Answer 6

• excessive focus on body weight
• difficulty concentrating
• perfectionism

Question 7

possible complications

Answer 7

• weakened immune system
• anaemia
• fertility problems

Question 8

what symptoms does the DSM 5 require to diagnose AN?

Answer 8

• restriction of energy intake
• fear of weight gain
• disturbed experience of body weight / shape