What are the long term effects of anorexia?

Question

My friend has recently stopped eating in a bid for her to lose weight in time for a party. I have told her not to be so silly (if that was the right word) but she says its her only option to look good so quickly.

Has anyone had experience with Anorexia and how did it effect your life?

How long does it take before weight loss occurs?

She is 5ft 9 and weighs 14 stone but wants to get to 10 stone

Answer 1

not personally, but the radio one site is good

Answer 2

That's a lot of weight to lose all at once. And starvation is the worst possible way to do it. Most likely your friend will be dehydrated before she loses actual weight and that is a very, very miserable, although bearable, way to feel. But it's not good.

Long term effects include pshychological problems (from the brain not getting what is sufficient), physiological problems - muscle tissue dissoved, ulcers, I think anaemia... what not.

But. Anorexia is not something that happens all at once. A short-term starvation, or fasting, may be overcome without turning into anorexia. The problem is, when you start eating again, you start putting on the weight alarmingly fast (like, much, much faster than it fell away), and then comes the temptation to stop eating again. It's very bad, the risk is real, but some fasting is still not anorexia.

Answer 3

Hiya. I'm getting weary of people using this yahoo thing to be stupid on. Who needs 2 points for a glib answer/?All the idiots who post unhelpful stuff.
Anorexia ain't new. I'm 51 now and when I was 15 I had a friend who suffered terribly because of ONE careless remark.......She was a bit pudgy.
She began to drink milk only....no food.
She nearly died, lost her mental health, her teeth, her hair, her teenage years, her possible career, her child-bearing capabilities, her friends, ....
Anorexia is like any other addiction......one day at a time. Whoever it is you are asking about, ask him/her to take it easy. Eat a little bit. It won't kill ya and it won't make ya fat. Cereal??? Rice??? Please????

Answer 4

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Health Problems
Anorexia Nervosa
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Signs of Anorexia
Long Term Effects
Who Develops Anorexia
Conventional Treatment

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What is Anorexia Nervosa?

'Anorexia nervosa' means 'loss of appetite for nervous reasons' but this is misleading because the person has, in fact, lost the ability to allow themselves to satisfy their appetite. They restrict the amount they eat and drink, sometimes to a dangerous level. They focus on food in an attempt to cope with life, rather than to starve to death. It is a way of demonstrating that they are in control of their body weight and shape. Ultimately, however, the illness itself takes control and the chemical changes in the body affect the brain and distort thinking, making it impossible for the person to make rational decisions about food. As the illness progresses, many people will suffer from the exhaustion of starvation. It is very rare, but occasionally people die from the effects of anorexia.



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Signs of Anorexia: -

In adults, extreme weight loss
In children and teenagers, poor or inadequate weight gain in relation to their growth
Constipation and abdominal pains
Dizzy spells and fainting
Swollen stomach, face and ankles
Downy hair on the body; loss of hair on the head when recovering
Poor blood circulation and feeling cold
Dry, rough, discoloured skin
Disrupted menstrual cycles
In men, loss of libido
Loss of bone mass and, eventually osteoporosis (brittle bones)
Psychological signs of anorexia
Intense fear of gaining weight, even within the normal weight range according to height
Distorted perception of body shape or weight
Denial of the existence of a problem
Changes in personality and mood swings
Behavioural signs in anorexia
Rituals attached to eating, such as cutting food into tiny pieces
Secrecy
Restlessness and hyperactivity
Wearing big baggy clothes
Vomiting; taking laxatives



The long-term effects of anorexia on the body and mind can be alarming and severe. Women with anorexia tend to find it more difficult to become pregnant, and there is the possibility of developing osteoporosis later in life. Fortunately, many of these effects can be reversed - once the body receives proper and regular nourishment.

Once the person is on the path to recovery, it can take some weeks or months for the body and mind to re-adjust. Eating and drinking regularly can cause their body to become bloated temporarily. Personality and mood swings may also take a while to settle, depending on the emotional difficulties associated with anorexia. Anorexia and the family Anorexia not only affects the person with the disorder - the whole family is affected. Each family is different but some common trends have been identified.

Answer 5

Well, obviously, long term anorexia results in death.

But, it seems your friend has her head screwed on as she knows she is a bit overweight, and so, don't panic!

Tell her to eat fruits as she will dehydrate without liquids.

Answer 6

If you stop eating your body uses up stores of fat and then starts using muscle. The long term effect is death.

Answer 7

Being anorexic can cause many health problems,heart attack, stroke, even death. You could end up in the hospital with a tube in your throat being forced to eat.

Answer 8

HI,, yes the long term effect is ... death,,, read about Karen Carpenter.....

good luck

Answer 9

You can become sterile and cannot bear children if you take it too far

Answer 10

To put it bluntly...DEATH.

Is beiny skinny really worth it...?