Anorexia is the medical term that means loss of appetite. In the case of anorexia nervosa, it is not really a loss of appetite, but the refusal to eat by the obsession to lose weight. It mainly affects women aged 15 to 20 years.
The causes of anorexia nervosa ìs poorly explained. Some cases occur after a diet. Other cases are explained by the rapid changes occurring in early puberty with weight gain as the young girl tries to fight. The anorexic person has an intense fear of gaining weight.
The most important symptom of anorexia is weight loss, which causes the atrophy of muscles. The person is depressed. The weight loss may cause the cessation of monthly periods, hair loss and tooth loss.
The anorexic does not consider itself sick. It is not easy for the patient to accept treatment. The recovery is long and sometimes requires hospitalization. The patient is undergoing psychotherapy and is closely followed by a general practitioner.
There are now four times more people with anorexia than twenty years ago. In Canada, 20% of anorexics die of complications due to their condition or suicide
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(1) Satistiques Canada (1993)18 avril 2010
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