Last Updated:

January 30th, 2026

Anorexia

Anorexia can take hold in ways that affect both the body and the mind, leaving a person feeling as though they have to fight their own instincts around food. It’s a condition that is widely misunderstood, which makes it harder for someone to recognise what’s happening or to ask for help. This page takes you through what anorexia involves, how to spot the signs and the impact it can have. The aim is to offer clarity and reassurance and to show that support is available if you or someone you care about is struggling.

anorexia nervosa fatigue

What is anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by a powerful fear of gaining weight and a distorted sense of body image. These feelings gradually shape a person’s behaviours around food, leading to restriction and significant weight changes. Someone may become preoccupied with thoughts about dieting or control in a way that begins to overshadow daily life.

Although anorexia is widely associated with visible weight loss, the emotional strain behind it is just as significant. Worry, shame, and a persistent sense of falling short sit beneath the surface, giving the condition a depth that goes far beyond appearance. It is a serious mental health issue that requires understanding, compassion and appropriate support.

Are there different types of anorexia?

Anorexia does not present in one way, and understanding these variations helps make sense of how differently people experience the condition.

  • Restrictive patterns involve limiting food intake as much as possible. Someone may cut out food groups or rely on rigid rules and intensive exercise to maintain control.
  • Binge eating and purging patterns include episodes of overeating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or laxative misuse. These behaviours create a cycle that becomes progressively harder to break.
  • Atypical anorexia describes people whose weight may not fall below expected ranges but who experience the same emotional and behavioural distress associated with anorexia.

These descriptions are not about categorising people but about recognising that anorexia can take multiple forms, all of which are serious and deserving of attention.

What are the signs of anorexia?

Because anorexia affects the body, thoughts and daily routines, the signs can show up across several areas of life. They may emerge gradually, sometimes subtly enough that the person affected doesn’t recognise them at first. This is why recognising the key signs is so important for the identification of anorexia.

Physical signs

  • Noticeable weight loss
  • Dry skin or brittle nails
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Feeling faint or weak
  • Cold hands or feet
  • Irregular menstruation

Psychological signs

  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Distorted sense of body image
  • Ongoing thoughts about food or dieting
  • Denial of the seriousness of weight changes
  • Using restrictive habits to manage difficult emotions

Behavioural signs

  • Avoiding meals or eating in private
  • Creating rigid food rules
  • Wearing loose clothing to hide changes
  • Distancing from social activities involving food

These signs of anorexia are not always easy to detect, especially when someone is trying to mask their struggles. The focus should be on noticing patterns that do not feel typical.

What causes anorexia?

There is no single cause of anorexia;  instead, multiple factors can combine in a way that gradually pulls someone into the disorder.

 

Genetics
Research shows that anorexia can run in families. Some people may be more vulnerable due to inherited traits, which explains why two individuals under similar pressures may respond differently.
Neurobiology
Modern brain imaging has revealed differences in regions linked to reward, decision-making and body awareness. These findings help explain why restrictive behaviours can feel reinforcing and why breaking established routines becomes extremely difficult.
Psychological factors
Low self-esteem and perfectionism can play a role and some individuals use restrictive behaviours to manage stress or emotional discomfort. Others may develop these patterns after trauma or prolonged uncertainty.
Environmental factors
Cultural pressures surrounding body image can heavily influence how someone views themselves. Social media intensifies this by reinforcing comparison and encouraging self-critisism.
Life events
Traumatic or destabilising experiences may push someone toward restrictive behaviours as a way to regain a sense of control. Research shows that a considerable number of people with anorexia have also experienced trauma at some point in their lives.

anorexia woman suffring weightloss

Can anorexia be dangerous?

Anorexia affects the body in ways that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Malnutrition impacts every bodily system, from heart function and digestion to hormones and bone health. When energy intake drops, the body begins breaking down its own tissues to survive, weakening the immune system and increasing vulnerability to medical complications.

Electrolyte imbalances, cardiac issues and organ strain are some of the most serious risks. Combined with emotional distress, this creates a situation where both psychological and medical intervention are crucial.

Studies show that anorexia carries a notably high mortality rate, which underlines the importance of timely support rather than serving as a source of fear.

How is anorexia treated?

Treatment for anorexia focuses on restoring physical health while addressing the emotional and behavioural patterns that maintain the disorder. Recovery is rarely immediate because anorexia affects multiple layers of life, but significant improvement is possible with dedicated support.

Younger people typically respond well to family-based approaches, where parents or caregivers help the individual rebuild consistent eating habits and stabilise their weight. Multi-family versions offer broader support where needed.

Older adolescents and adults commonly engage in individual therapies. Enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E) addresses restrictive behaviours, unhelpful thought patterns and the underlying self-evaluation that fuels the disorder.

Treatments like MANTRA focus on thinking styles, emotional regulation and interpersonal patterns that keep anorexia in place. Both models have shown encouraging results across outpatient and more intensive settings.

Across all ages, screening for co-occurring mental health issues is essential. Anxiety, depressive symptoms and obsessive-compulsive traits can intensify anorexia if unaddressed. Working on these areas alongside the eating disorder helps reduce relapse risk and strengthens long-term recovery.

What are the next steps?

If you recognise yourself or someone you care about in the descriptions above, taking action may feel intimidating. Reaching out, however, is a meaningful turning point. Speaking with a GP, therapist or mental health professional can bring clarity and open the door to support that genuinely helps.

Letting someone you trust know what you’re experiencing can also make the process feel less isolating. You don’t need to manage this on your own. With the right help, anorexia becomes something that can be treated and understood rather than something you have to battle in silence. Recovery is possible, and every step toward support matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ‘atypical anorexia’?
Atypical anorexia involves the same restrictive behaviours and psychological distress seen in anorexia but the person is not underweight. Medical risks remain significant despite weight appearing within or above a typical range.
Can anorexia cause diabetes?
Anorexia does not directly cause diabetes, but long-term restriction can affect insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health. In people with diabetes, disordered eating can also worsen blood sugar control.
What makes anorexia different from bulimia?
Anorexia focuses on severe restriction and low body weight, while bulimia involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours. Both are serious conditions that affect physical health and emotional wellbeing in distinct ways.

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