The following are the most common symptoms of anorexia. However, your symptoms could be different.
Symptoms may include:
- Low body weight (less than 85 percent of normal weight for height and age)
- Intense fear of becoming obese, even as individual is losing weight
- Distorted view of your body weight, size, or shape. You may see yourself as being fat even when you are not fat and may even be underweight
- Refuses to maintain minimum normal body weight
- In females, absence of three menstrual cycles without another cause
- Excessive physical activity in order to promote weight loss
- Denies feelings of hunger
- Preoccupation with food preparation
- Bizarre eating behaviors
The following are the most common physical symptoms associated with anorexia–often that result from starvation and malnourishment. Symptoms may include:
- Dry skin that when pinched and released, stays pinched
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Intolerance to cold temperatures
- Emaciation (very little body fat)
- Development of lanugo (fine, downy body hair)
- Yellowing of the skin
Some of these symptoms may also come as a result of cancer treatment. You should speak with your oncologist if you have any of the symptoms above.
People with anorexia may also be socially withdrawn, irritable, moody, and/or depressed. The symptoms of anorexia nervosa may resemble other medical problems or psychiatric conditions.