According to the DSM-5 criteria, to be diagnosed as having Anorexia Nervosa a person must display:

• Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health) .
• Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight).
• Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

Restricting type:  this is the most commonly known type of Anorexia Nervosa whereby a person severely restricts their food intake.  Restriction may take many forms (e.g. maintaining very low calorie count; restricting types of food eaten; eating only one meal a day) and may follow obsessive and rigid rules (e.g. only eating food of one colour).

Binge-eating or purging type:  less recognised; a person restricts their intake as above, but also during some bouts of restriction the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating OR purging behaviour (e.g. self induced vomiting, over-exercise, misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas).

Many people with anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight, even when they are clearly underweight. Eating, food and weight control become obsessions. People with anorexia nervosa usually weigh themselves repeatedly, weigh food and eat very small amounts of just certain foods. Some people with anorexia nervosa may also engage in binge eating, followed by extreme dieting, excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting and / or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Some people who developed anorexia nervosa recover with treatment after only one episode. Others recover but have relapses. Still others have a more chronic or enduring form of anorexia nervosa, in which their state of health is at risk.

Other symptoms that may develop over time, including:

– Decreased bone mineral density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
– Fragile hair and nails
– Dry and yellowish skin
– Growth of fine hair throughout the body (lanugo)
– Anemia, muscle loss and weakness
– Low blood pressure, slower breathing and pulse
– Damage to the structure and function of the heart
– Multiorgan failure
– Low internal temperature of the body, making a person cold all the time
– Slow down, or feeling tired all the time
– Infertility.

What are the different types of Eating Disorders?

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder