Anorexia Nervosa Facts
Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially
life-threatening eating disorder characterized by
self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
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Resistance to maintaining body
weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and
height.
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Intense fear of weight gain or being
fat, even though underweight.
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Disturbance in the experience of
body weight or shape, undue influence of weight or shape
on self-evaluation or denial of the seriousness of low
body weight.
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Loss of menstrual periods in girls
and women post-puberty.
Eating disorders experts have found
that early intervention improves the chances of
anorexia recovery. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some
of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa.
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Dramatic weight loss
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Preoccupation with weight, food,
calories, fat grams and dieting
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Refusal to eat certain foods,
progressing to restrictions against whole categories of
food (e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.)
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Frequent comments about feeling
fat or overweight despite weight loss
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Anxiety about gaining weight or
being fat
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Denial of hunger
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Development of food rituals (e.g.
eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing,
rearranging food on a plate)
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Consistent excuses to avoid
mealtimes or situations involving food
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Excessive, rigid exercise regimen
despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury
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Withdrawal from usual friends and
activities
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In general, behaviors and attitudes
indicating that weight loss, dieting and control of food
are becoming primary concerns
McCallum Place is an
eating disorder treatment center specializing in
treating anorexia offering a residential treatment program,
partial hospital and
transition
living.
In these programs, individuals who suffer from anorexia nervosa will meet with an eating disorder specialist to receive
individualized treatment designed to meet their specific
needs. The primary goals at McCallum Place are
stabilization of symptoms,
weight restoration and beginning to build the
foundation for a strong recovery.
In all we do, we strive to help individuals build the
confidence and skills necessary to let go of their
patterns of restrictive eating. Our protocols are
designed to help patients restore weight to within 90%
of ideal body weight and to minimize relapse from vomiting and compulsive exercise. Patients practice weight maintenance and flexible eating prior to discharge. When possible, a gradual
step down is recommended to ease the transition back to independent living.
We give individuals the power to manage the fears associated with new meal expectations and changes in body size. Our
goal is to change the way each individual uses food and body image to express underlying emotional needs and concerns.
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