Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. Sometimes people assume anorexia is just about slimming and dieting, but it is much more than this.
People who have anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible by not eating enough food or exercising too much, or both. It’s often connected to very low self-esteem, negative self-image and feelings of intense distress.
How you might feel
People with anorexia think that they are fat when they are actually very thin. Although other people see you as thin or underweight, it is very difficult for you to see this if you have anorexia.
You’re likely to have a severe dread of gaining weight, and will do your utmost to avoid putting on weight. You’re also may feel:
- like you simply can’t think about anything other than food, despite distractions from your friends or favourite games.
- like you want to disappear
- lonely, especially if no one knows about your eating problems
- anxious
- that you are fat and your weight loss isn’t enough
- panicky around meal times
- that by eating you lose the control you feel you need
- depressed or suicidal
With anorexia, you feel very in control of your body weight and shape. However, with time, anorexia can take control of you. After time it can become very difficult to make healthy, normal choices about the amount and types of food you eat.