$Unique_ID{BRK03474}
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$Title{Anorexia Nervosa}
$Subject{Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorder Apepsia Hysterica Magersucht}
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Copyright (C) 1986, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

187:
Anorexia Nervosa

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Anorexia Nervosa) is not
the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Eating Disorder
     Apepsia Hysterica
     Magersucht

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Anorexia Nervosa is an illness of self-starvation resulting in marked
weight loss and characterized by a disturbed sense of body image and anxiety
about weight gain.  Women with this disorder may also experience absence of
menstrual periods.

Symptoms

Persons suffering from Anorexia Nervosa show an extreme preoccupation with
food.  Periods of self-starvation often alternate with periods of binge
eating.  Patients frequently have a 20-25% body weight loss.  Females with
Anorexia Nervosa usually have no menstrual periods.  Hyperactivity combined
with depression is common in both males and females.  Patients usually have a
distorted body image; i.e., they think they are fat while in reality they are
underweight.

For more information on eating disorders, see "Eating Disorders - When
Thinness Becomes an Obsession" in the Prevalent Health Conditions/Concerns
section of NORD Services.

Causes

Anorexia Nervosa is considered to be a psychiatric condition often associated
with a stressful life situation.  Many individuals are described as having
been perfectionist "model children".  Involvement of biological causes has
not yet been established, but research is underway.

Affected Population

Approximately 95% of persons suffering from Anorexia Nervosa are female.
Onset of the disorder is usually in early to late adolescence.

A 1989 study of the prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa in South Australia
indicated that it is a rare disorder affecting 1.05 out of 1,000 female
secondary school students.

Related Disorders

Bulimia is a psychiatric illness characterized by binge eating, while
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by periods of self-starvation alternating
with binge eating.  (For more information on Bulimia, choose bulimia as your
search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa includes provision of a calm, concerned, stable
environment which also encourages a reasonable caloric intake.  Combined
management with a family doctor and a psychotherapist may be necessary.
Family therapy aimed at relieving domestic stress and reducing chaotic
interactions (especially those caused by the patient's food-oriented
behavior) can be most helpful.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through June
1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Anorexia Nervosa, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     American Anorexia/Bulimia Association (AA/BA)
     133 Cedar Lane
     Teaneck, NJ  07666
     (201) 836-1800

     Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc.
     P.O. Box 7
     Highland Park, IL  60035

     Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
     P.O. Box 5102
     Eugene, OR  97405

     Bulimia, Anorexia Self-Help
     6125 Clayton Ave., Suite 215
     St. Louis, MO  63139

     NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD 20205
     (301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752
     (800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.)

     National Mental Health Association
     1021 Prince Street
     Alexandria, VA  22314
     (703) 684-7722

     National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
     1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500
     Arlington, VA  22209
     (703) 524-7600

     National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
     311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
     Philadelphia, PA  19107
     (215) 735-2481

References

THE PREVALENCE OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA, D.I.  Ben-Tovim, et al.; Daw Park, South
Australia 5041, Repatriation General Hospital, N Eng Journal of Med (March
16, 1989, issue 320 (11)).  Pp. 736-737.