Anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. The spelling of this word is pronounced [æn.ɔˈrɛk.sjə nərˈvoʊ.sə], with emphasis on the second syllable of "anorexia" and the third syllable of "nervosa". The vowel sound in ‘anorexia’ is a short ‘a’, and the ‘o’ in ‘nervosa’ is pronounced as ‘oh’. While the spelling may be difficult to understand at first, the use of phonetic transcription can help individuals fully comprehend the pronunciation and spelling of this disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, leading to self-imposed starvation and excessive weight loss. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted body image and an intense desire to remain thin, despite being significantly underweight.
The disorder involves intense preoccupation with food, dieting, and weight control, resulting in restrictive eating habits that can eventually lead to malnourishment and numerous health complications. Those with anorexia may engage in rigid or excessive exercise routines, self-induced vomiting, or misuse of laxatives or appetite suppressants to further restrict calorie intake. They often see their self-worth solely in terms of their weight or body shape, which perpetuates their irrational beliefs about their body size.
Anorexia nervosa is usually accompanied by emotional issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Physical symptoms can include extreme weight loss, emaciation, fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and cessation of menstruation in females.
Treatment for anorexia nervosa commonly involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and medical monitoring. The primary objective is to restore healthy eating habits, address underlying psychological concerns, and manage medical complications. Family therapy can also be beneficial in cases involving adolescents.
Anorexia nervosa has the potential to be life-threatening, and early intervention is crucial to prevent further deterioration of physical and mental health. Further research and awareness are needed to combat the pervasive stigma surrounding eating disorders and to promote understanding, support, and effective treatment options.
A condition marked by loss of appetite with loss of weight, accompanied by delusions and marked hysterical symptoms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "anorexia nervosa" has its etymology rooted in ancient Greek.
The term "anorexia" comes from the Greek word "anoreksia", where "an" means "without" and "orexis" means "appetite". It was originally used to describe a loss or lack of appetite.
The term "nervosa" is a Latin word derived from the Latin noun "nervus", meaning "nerve". In this context, "nervosa" refers to a condition related to the nerves, specifically the psychological and emotional factors contributing to the disorder.
Therefore, when combined, "anorexia nervosa" translates to "without appetite due to emotional or psychological factors". It serves as a descriptive term for the complex eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and extreme dietary restriction.