Anorexia is a common eating disorder among teenagers, especially among younger girls. In fact, about 90-95% of anorexic people are girls and young women. It can result from the introjection of society's canons of physical perfection, which lead to a slim body or not to exceed a certain weight, from personal factors such as genetics or biology and from emotional factors, such as anxiety, stress or a trauma. The most common symptom is extreme thinness or excessive weight loss. However, other physical and behavioral symptoms that can be identified in young female subjects also help to understand if there are problems with anorexia. If a girl experiences any of these symptoms, it is necessary to suggest that she be treated as this eating disorder could be life-threatening.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms
Step 1. Notice if he appears visibly underweight, with protruding bones and a gaunt appearance
One of the main symptoms of excessive weight loss is that you have protruding bones, particularly the collarbones and breastbone, due to the lack of subcutaneous fat that highlights the bones under the skin.
The face may also appear emaciated, with prominent cheekbones, and the girl may appear excessively pale or undernourished
Step 2. Check to see if she looks tired and weak or if she faints
If you eat little for a long time, you may experience symptoms of fatigue, such as lightheadedness, fainting, and the inability to do any kind of physical activity. People with anorexia may also have difficulty getting out of bed or being active during the day due to lack of energy caused by not eating properly or not eating at all.
Step 3. Check if your nails look brittle and your hair breaks easily or starts to fall out
Because it lacks a healthy supply of nutrients, nails can easily break or weaken. Likewise, hair can fall out in strands or easily break into multiple parts.
Another known symptom of anorexia is the development of fine hair on the face and body, known as fluff. It is produced by the body in an attempt to conserve heat, despite the lack of nutrients and energy through the consumption of food
Step 4. Ask her if her period is irregular or has even stopped
In many girls suffering from anorexia, the disappearance or alteration of the menstrual cycle occurs. In 14-16 year old girls this condition is known as amenorrhea or lack of menstruation.
If an eating disorder, such as anorexia, causes amenorrhea, the girl may be suffering from other health problems, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing Behavioral Symptoms
Step 1. Notice if she refuses to eat or is on a very restrictive diet
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes the sufferer to refuse food in an attempt to achieve a certain body weight. If a person has anorexia, they often don't eat or make excuses as to why they can't eat. He may also skip meals or lie about eating when he hasn't actually touched any food. Even though he is hungry, he denies that he has an appetite and refuses to sit at the table.
Equally, a very restrictive diet could impose herself, which forces her to count calories in order to significantly reduce the amount necessary for the body or to consume only low-fat foods that, according to her, do not lead to weight gain.. She considers them "safe" foods, to be used as a pretext to show that she eats when in fact she consumes less food than she would need to feed herself adequately
Step 2. Be aware of any rituals she adopts when she eats
Many anorexic girls develop rituals to control nutrition. They can push food around the plate to give the impression that they have eaten or poke the food without actually ingesting anything. They can also cut them into small pieces or chew them and then spit them out.
An anorexic girl might perform a food ritual even where after eating. Notice if she goes to the bathroom after every meal and has tooth decay or bad breath from stomach juices in her vomit
Step 3. Be careful if you over train or follow a heavy workout routine
This behavior probably stems from the desire to keep weight under control and to feel able to continue to lose weight. Many people with anorexia are very attentive to physical activity and train every day or several times a day in an attempt not to gain weight.
You should also notice if he is increasing the intensity of his workouts, despite his appetite not increasing or not eating at all. It can be a sign that anorexia is getting worse and that she is trying to use exercise to keep her weight in check
Step 4. Notice if she complains about her weight or is demoralized by her looks
Anorexia is a psychological disorder that causes the affected person to continually complain about his figure or appearance. He may do this by accident by looking in the mirror or having difficulty accepting himself physically when he goes shopping or hanging out with friends. It can also talk about how fat or unattractive she feels, showing the desire to be slimmer, even when she is visibly thin.
He may also exert his control over his body by weighing himself several times, measuring his waist size, and observing himself in the mirror. In addition, many anorexic people wear loose clothing to hide their bodies or to keep their weight from being visible
Step 5. Ask her if she is taking weight loss pills or supplements
To get even leaner, she can take diet pills or supplements to speed up weight loss. Using these substances, he just tries to keep his figure in check.
He may also take laxatives or diuretics to help eliminate fluid from the body. In fact, these medicines all have little effect on the calories absorbed from food and do not affect weight
Step 6. Notice if she isolates herself from friends, family, and social contexts
Often anorexia goes hand in hand with depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, especially in younger girls. An anorexic person can get away from friends and family and avoid social situations or events. She may refuse to take part in activities she once enjoyed or hang out with friends and family with whom she was previously excited to hang out.
