Eating Disorders Symptoms Symptoms and Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa Physical, Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms By Susan Cowden, MS | Reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Updated November 30, 2017 Share Pin Email Print Andrew Brookes/Cultura/Getty Images More in Eating Disorders Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Awareness and Prevention People who are experiencing anorexia nervosa may exhibit some of the following symptoms (something objectively experienced by the person) and/or signs (observable manifestations) of the disease. Sometimes family members and friends will remark after a diagnosis has been made that they didn't realize how many behaviors and changes were related to the eating disorder. However, anorexia nervosa truly affects all areas of a person's life. While it is a disease that disproportionately affects females and most often begins in early to mid-adolescence, it also afflicts men and boys and can be diagnosed in children as well as older adults.Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening disorder and one of the most lethal psychiatric disorders. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often do not believe they are ill and may try to mask their low weight. It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of signs and symptoms and people who do not have all of the manifestations below may still be struggling with anorexia nervosa. Also, these signs and symptoms are not always specific to anorexia and may reflect other conditions.Physical SymptomsAnorexia nervosa is quite literally self-starvation. The physical symptoms are a result of the body being denied essential nutrients, as the body is forced to conserve its resources in an effort to survive. Many of these physical symptoms are only present in serious cases of anorexia nervosa. They can also be symptoms of other medical conditions so it is important to be assessed by a physician to determine a correct diagnosis and seek treatment.loss of menstrual period in females post-puberty (or delayed first period) sensitivity to coldcold hands and feetpale, dry skindry and thinning hairhair loss on scalpbrittle nailslightheadedness or loss of balance (may experience fainting)downy hair all over the body (called lanugo), which is the body's effort to conserve heatlow blood pressure and heart ratebruises easilyextreme weight lossmuscle loss and weaknessextreme dehydrationabdominal painconstipationbrittle bones (osteoporosis)Behavioral SymptomsThese are signs that are often noticed outwardly by family members and friends of someone who is struggling with anorexia nervosa. They may be noticed somewhat earlier than some of the physical manifestations.talks or thinks about food, weight, calories, and dieting so much it gets in the way of regular conversationdesperate to exercise even when inappropriate, such as running in inclement weather or missing other commitments in order to exercise (in kids might look like hyperactivity)talks about fears of gaining weight or being fat even when losing weightrefusal to eat certain foods or entire groups of foods (such as carbohydrates or desserts)strange eating habits or food rituals, such as an insistence on using specific utensilseating unusual or odd food combinations cooks for others, but refuses to eat what is cookedmay seem obsessed with cooking, cookbooks, cooking shows on television or other food related topicsinsistence on wearing cold-weather clothing, even when it is warm outsideweighs themselves often, frequently looks in the mirror, or checks the size of certain body partswithdrawal from friends and familymay go to great lengths to avoid eating, such as making up excuses about not joining the family for a meal or stating that they have already eatensudden and extreme changes, such as becoming a vegetarian or refusing to eat non-organic foods, even when that is all that is available complaints of stomach achesdenial of hungerfatigueextreme perfectionismmay hide foods in order to avoid eating themEmotional SymptomsSome of these symptoms might be more difficult for someone on the outside to recognize. However, many family members and close friends would be able to assess that their loved one is experiencing some or all of these warning signs.determines self-esteem, worth, or attractiveness by appearance and weightdepressionstrong need for approvalanxietylittle motivation to engage in relationships or activitieseasily irritatedextremely self-criticalIf you or someone you know is showing signs of anorexia nervosa, please seek professional help. Most of the symptoms and signs listed above are reversible with treatment. Sources:American Psychiatric Association. 2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.Mehler, Philip S. and Arnold Andersen, 2010. Eating Disorders: A Guide to Medical Care and Complications. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press. Continue Reading