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Diseases » Anorexia Nervosa » Symptoms
 

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Anorexia Nervosa includes the 78 symptoms listed below:

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia Nervosa: Complications

Review medical complications possibly associated with Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms: Book Excerpts

Research More About Anorexia Nervosa

Do I have Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa: Medical Mistakes

Anorexia Nervosa: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Anorexia Nervosa:

Wrongly Diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Anorexia Nervosa includes:

See the full list of 27 alternative diagnoses for Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

More about symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:

More information about symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa and related conditions:

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

Medical Books Online about Anorexia Nervosa

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Anorexia Nervosa are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Anorexia Nervosa.

Medical Books Excerpts
  • ANOREXIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • POLYPHAGIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • WEIGHT LOSS
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • Anorexia
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Polyphagia
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ANOREXIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • Anorexia
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Anorexia
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Anorexia
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Weight Loss
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Anorexia
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Polyphagia
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Anorexia
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ANOREXIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Patient Surveys for Anorexia Nervosa

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa.


Anorexia nervosa: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The patient’s history usually reveals a 25% or greater weight loss for no organic reason, coupled with a morbid dread of being fat and a compulsion to be thin. Such a patient tends to be angry and ritualistic. She may report amenorrhea, infertility, loss of libido, fatigue, sleep alterations, intolerance to cold, and constipation.

Hypotension and bradycardia may be present. Inspection may reveal an emaciated appearance, with skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, atrophy of breast tissue, blotchy or sallow skin, lanugo on the face and body, and dryness or loss of scalp hair. If also bulimic, calluses on the knuckles, and abrasions and scars on the dorsum of the hand may result from tooth injury during self-induced vomiting. Other signs of vomiting include dental caries and oral or pharyngeal abrasions. (See Complications of anorexia nervosa.)

Palpation may disclose painless salivary gland enlargement and bowel distention. Slowed reflexes may occur on percussion. Oddly, the patient usually demonstrates hyperactivity and vigor (despite malnourishment). She may exercise avidly without apparent fatigue.

During psychosocial assessment, the patient with anorexia may express a morbid fear of gaining weight and an obsession with her physical appearance. Paradoxically, she may also be obsessed with food, preparing elaborate meals for others. Social regression, including poor sexual adjustment and fear of failure, is common. Like bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa is commonly associated with depression. The patient may report feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness as well as suicidal thoughts.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Anorexia nervosa: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

The patient’s history usually reveals a 25% or greater weight loss for no organic reason, coupled with a morbid dread of being fat and a compulsion to be thin. Such a patient tends to be angry and ritualistic. She may report amenorrhea, infertility, loss of libido, fatigue, sleep alterations, intolerance to cold, and constipation.

Hypotension and bradycardia may be present. Inspection may reveal an emaciated appearance, with skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, atrophy of breast tissue, blotchy or sallow skin, lanugo on the face and body, and dryness or loss of scalp hair. Calluses on the knuckles and abrasions and scars on the dorsum of the hand may result from tooth injury during self-induced vomiting. Other signs of vomiting include dental caries and oral or pharyngeal abrasions.

Palpation may disclose painless salivary gland enlargement and bowel distention. Slowed reflexes may occur on percussion. Oddly, the patient usually demonstrates hyperactivity and vigor (despite malnourishment) and may exercise avidly without apparent fatigue.

Psychosocial assessment

During psychosocial assessment, the anorexic patient may express a morbid fear of gaining weight and an obsession with her physical appearance. Paradoxically, she also may be obsessed with food, preparing elaborate meals for others. Social regression, including poor sexual adjustment and fear of failure, is common. Like bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa is commonly associated with depression. The patient may report feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness as well as suicidal thoughts.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia Nervosa: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Those experiencing anorexia nervosa also have an intense fear of becoming fat, even though they are underweight. Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced that they are overweight. Sometimes they must be hospitalized to prevent starvation, yet they often continue to deny the condition. Food and weight become obsessions. For some, the compulsiveness shows up in strange eating rituals or the refusal to eat in front of others. It is not uncommon for people with anorexia to collect recipes and prepare lavish gourmet feast for family and friends, but not partake in the meals themselves. They may adhere to strict exercise routines to keep off weight. Ninety percent of all anorexics are women. (Source: excerpt from Anorexia Nervosa: NWHIC)

Anorexia Nervosa: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Possible warning signs include:

    • Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss

    • Intense fear of gaining weight

    • Refusal to eat

    • Denial of hunger

    • Constant exercising

    • Greater amounts of hair on the body or the face

    • Sensitivity to cold

    • Absent or irregular periods

    • Loss of scalp hair

    • A self-perception of being fat when the person is already too thin

(Source: excerpt from Anorexia Nervosa: NWHIC)

Anorexia Nervosa as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa, it is also important to consider Anorexia Nervosa as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Anorexia Nervosa may cause:

- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa. This signs and symptoms information for Anorexia Nervosa has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Anorexia Nervosa signs or Anorexia Nervosa symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Anorexia Nervosa symptoms.


 » Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Anorexia Nervosa

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