| Unfortunately, many people do not understand what | | | | most because society dictates that "thin is in," and the |
| anorexia nervosa is and how serious it can be. It is an | | | | message can be found everywhere including |
| eating disorder that can be life threatening and is seen | | | | magazines, movies, television, etc. They will do anything |
| in individuals who have a fear of gaining weight. These | | | | to be thin, and have no idea of the consequences |
| individuals often weigh more than 15% less than what | | | | involved when anorexia sets in. |
| they should weigh and do so by eating very little. | | | | The effects of anorexia are devastating and include |
| Some anorexics will eat and then vomit to eliminate | | | | damage to the heart and brain due to lack of nutrients. |
| what they have eaten. | | | | The longer the disease goes on, the more likely that a |
| Anorexic individuals usually have low self-esteem, are | | | | person's pulse rate and blood pressure will drop |
| depressed and have a very distorted image of their | | | | dramatically causing irregular heart rhythms or heart |
| bodies. In other words, no matter how thin they are, in | | | | failure. The bones lacking the proper nutrients tend to |
| their minds they are fat. The disease usually begins | | | | become brittle and often break, and many people |
| either before or just after puberty. Young girls seem to | | | | reach a point where they actually starve to death. |
| be the ones who suffer the most from this illness, but it | | | | Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate |
| can and increasingly is affecting both sexes of all | | | | among psychiatric illnesses with a six percent death |
| ages. It is believed that younger women suffer the | | | | rate among its victims. |