Symptoms and Signs of Anorexia Nervosa There are many signs that someone may have anorexia nervosa. The most frequently noticed is the extreme thinness that characterizes someone with this eating disorder. There are other physical, emotional, and behavioral signs that signal anorexia. Extreme weight loss Refusal to eat enough to maintain a healthy body weight Persistent negative comments about body shape and size Distorted body image and self-perception Inability to recognize true body size/thinness Excessive exercise Continuing to diet although thin Obsessive calorie and fat gram counting Constant weighing Refusing to eat in public/avoidance of eating situations Denial of the problem Claiming lack of hunger Attributing life successes or failures to weight Dressing in layers to hide weight loss Thinning hair Dry, yellow skin Dry, brittle hair and nails Complaints of being cold all the time Refusal to eat solid food Disguising lack of eating or reduced food intake by playing with food, picking at food, rearranging food on the plate, hiding food Fine, downy hair that develops on face or body Lack of menstrual period; loss of menses Personality changes Inability to accept compliments; frequent self-belittling comments High expectations of perfection It should be noted that fifty percent of patients with anorexia nervosa may also develop bulimia nervosa. Learn more about anorexia nervosa Health Risks Treatment issues     ABOUT THIS PROGRAM | UNDERSTANDING EATING DISORDERS WHEN IT'S SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT | TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO LEARN MORE | DISORDERED EATING MAIN PAGE BACK TO HEALTHWORKS | RETURN TO TV HOME PAGE © 1999 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.