There is a strong association between eating disorders and depression. Anorexics tend to come from families that have high standards of achievement, and they are often perfectionists, compulsive in many aspects of their life, especially school. Denial often accompanies their intense focus on remaining thin: Anorexics will typically refuse to admit that anything is wrong, and they may become angry or defensive at express Anorexia nervosa should be suspected when a young man or woman experiences unexplained weight loss. Blood and urine should be thoroughly tested to rule out other possible causes of weight loss and to determine the extent of malnutrition and dehydration. Because extreme hormonal and nutritional imbalances can lead to death, frequent monitoring is essential visions of concern by others. Despite 15 years of media coverage of the physical and memotional ravages of eating disorders, an estimated 5 million Americans every year still battle anorexia, bulimia and related disorders. While awareness and treatment have improved, no one has yet defined what triggers the problem. In an attempt to understand more, Australian researchers recently followed nearly 2,000 teens for three years to look for common characteristics among those who eventually developed eating disorders. Though we still don't fully understand why eating disorders develop, the results confirm what many specialists already believed: Serious dieting is a powerful predictor that an eating disorder may emerge. During any six-month period, girls who dieted severely were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than nondieters; they had an almost one in five chance of developing an eating disorder within a year. Possible Signs of an Eating Disorder Arrested growth Change in eating habits Marked weight change Difficulty eating in social settings In ability to gain weight Reluctance to be weighed, Fatigue, Depression or social withdrawal Constipation or d...
