Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa

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The symptoms of anorexia nervosa include loss of weight and changes in other physical features, together with a change in personality and behaviour.

Changes to physical features may include:

Slow progressive weight loss, often starting with a normal weight reducing diet. In children and teenagers, there will be inadequate weight gain in relation to growth.
Swollen stomach, constipation or diarrhoea and stomach (abdominal) pains.
Fainting, dizzy spells, poor circulation and feeling cold.
Downy hair growth on the body, dry, rough and discoloured skin.
Ceasing of menstrual periods in women, loss of libido in men, delay of puberty or stunted growth.
Loss of bone mass and the onset of osteoporosis (brittle bone).
Insomnia and fatigue.
Low blood pressure and changes to pulse rate and rhythm.
Blood changes, including anaemia, low white cell count, plasma and platelet abnormalities.
Salt imbalance, liver and kidney damage.

Personality and behavioural changes may include:

Increasing seriousness, introversion and mood swings.
Denial of the existence of a problem.
Intense fear of gaining weight, with a distorted perception of body shape. Even a normal, healthy body weight may arouse feelings of tension and panic. May spend excessive amount of time in front of a mirror and may see themselves as very fat despite visual evidence to the contrary.
Over exercising and restless behaviour.
Guilt, loss of confidence and self esteem, less assertive and more dependant.
Narrowing of interests, attention becoming focused on diet.
Secret vomiting and/or taking laxatives.
Use of appetite suppressants and/or diuretics.
Rituals attached to eating and hiding food.
Wearing baggy clothes.