appetite suppressants

Contents

An overview of anorexia nervosa, its history, health implications, treatment approaches, and related references.

Anorectic

Anorectic is a severe eating disorder characterized by extreme food restriction, body image distortion and fear of weight gain. Untreated anorexia nervosa often leads to significant physical and psychological harm; medical intervention should always be sought if undiagnosed and untreated.

History

The first record of anorexia as an actual disorder appeared in 1689; however, accounts of starvation and body dysmorphia date back centuries. Anorexia became recognized clinically only during the late 19th century, being included into DSM-I in 1952; current criteria under DSM-5 differentiate restrictive from binge-purge subtypes.

Public health concerns

Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among mental disorders (5-10%). Risks associated with anorexia include organ failure, osteoporosis and suicide. Sociocultural pressures and media coverage often exacerbate its prevalence, especially among adolescents and young adults.

Non-pharmacological alternatives

Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and family-based treatment (FBT) should be the first line of defense against substance use disorders. Nutritional counseling aims to establish healthy eating patterns without resorting to medications which could worsen symptoms in some instances.

Refeeding syndrome

Rapid weight gain during nutritional recovery may trigger refeeding Syndrome--dangerous shifts in electrolyte and fluid balance which could result in cardiac arrhythmias or seizures, necessitating medical supervision to manage this potentially life-threatening complication.

List of anorectics

• Restricting subtype: Weight loss through caloric restriction alone.

• Binge-eating/purging subtype: Includes episodes of binge eating, vomiting, or laxative use.

See also

Eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder; nutritional rehabilitation protocols; mental health advocacy initiatives.

References

References mes Clinical Guidelines from the National Institute of Mental Health; DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa; peer-reviewed articles about Refeeding Syndrome Management are used as references.

External links

Resources from the World Health Organization and academic institutions specializing in eating disorder research.