TEEN ANOREXIA IN MARIN

By the time girls in Marin reach middle school, many believe they are fat and have already attempted to lose weight even if they are thin.  We live in a culture of perfection where girls want to look good in order to be valued and fit in.   Because this has become such common behavior, it’s important to know the actual symptoms of the eating disorder.  Anorectics keep body weight at least 15% less than the norm. Females lose menstrual cycles for at least 3 consecutive months. There is an irrational fear of weight gain often coupled with a distorted assessment of body size and a great need to control their environment.

Anorexia symptoms may include:

• Thin appearance
• Abnormal blood counts
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Brittle nails
• Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
• Soft, downy hair covering the body
• Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Frequently being cold
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Low blood pressure
• Dehydration
• Bone loss

Emotional and behavioral symptoms may include:

• Refusal to eat
• Denial of hunger
• Excessive exercise
• Flat mood or lack of emotion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Preoccupation with food

Red flags that family and friends may notice include:

• Skipping meals
• Making excuses for not eating
• Eating only a few certain “safe” foods, usually those low in fat and calories
• Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or spitting food out after chewing
• Weighing food
• Cooking elaborate meals for others but refusing to eat them themselves
• Repeated weighing of themselves
• Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws
• Wearing baggy or layered clothing
• Complaining about being fat

Call for a free initial phone consultation: 415-360-5445