English

Major Psychological Disorder> Eating Disorders - Anorexia Nervosa

Topics

Estimated time: 14 minutes

Introduction
Who gets Anorexia Nervosa?
Causes
Symptoms
Anorexia Nervosa vs. Normal Eating
Risks and Consequences
Real-Life Application
Key Points: Anorexia Nervosa

CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder where people avoid eating and fear becoming fat, even when they are already dangerously thin. They often see themselves as heavier than they truly are, and this can cause serious health problems.

CISCE: Class 12

Who gets Anorexia Nervosa?

Mainly girls and young women aged 10–30 years.
People who feel social pressure to look thin (school, media, family).
Boys are less often affected (about 4–10% of cases).

CISCE: Class 12

Causes

Fear of gaining weight, pressure to "look thin".
Family or friends talk constantly about body shape or dieting.
Social media/fashion trends present thin bodies as "ideal."
High stress (exams, personal life), a perfectionist personality, or poor self-esteem.
Sometimes linked with anxiety, OCD, or depression.

CISCE: Class 12

Symptoms

Physical: Rapid weight loss, tiredness, dry skin, hair loss, loss of period (girls).
Mental: Obsession over weight, counting calories, constant thoughts about food/appearance.
Behavioural: Avoids eating, skips meals, pretends to have eaten, wears loose clothes to hide thinness.

CISCE: Class 12

Anorexia Nervosa vs. Normal Eating

Aspect	Anorexia Nervosa	Normal Eating
Eating habits	Extreme dieting, skipping meals	Regular, balanced meals
Body image	Sees self as "fat" despite thinness	Sees self mostly as they are
Social impact	Isolation avoids food gatherings	Enjoys food with others
Health effects	Weakness, organ damage, loss of menstrual cycle	Normal health

CISCE: Class 12

Risks and Consequences

Heart and organ damage, weak bones, and hormonal changes.
Problems with studies, sports, and friendships due to low energy.
In severe cases, it can cause death or suicidal thoughts.

CISCE: Class 12

Real-Life Application

A teenage girl, hearing comments about her looks from friends, begins strict dieting and skips family meals. Even after losing much weight, she believes she is "too fat." Result: weakness, hospital visits, mood swings, and feeling alone.

CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person fears gaining weight and eats very little despite being underweight.
It mostly affects girls and young women and is linked to pressure to look thin, stress, and low self‑esteem.
Common signs include extreme weight loss, tiredness, hair loss, missed periods, and an obsession with food and body size.
People with anorexia see themselves as “fat,” unlike normal eating, where body image is mostly realistic.
It can cause serious health problems, emotional distress, and even be life‑threatening if untreated.