Eating disorders are devastating behavioral maladies brought on by a complex interplay of factors, which may include emotional and personality disorder, family pressure, a possible genetic or biological susceptibility and a culture in which there is an over abundance of food and an obsession with thinness. Eating disorders are generally characterized as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and eating disorders not other wise specified. According to the World of Psychology anorexia is defined as " an eating disorder characterized by an overwhelming, irrational fear of being fat, compulsive dieting to the point of self starvation and excessive weight loss."(World of Psychology Page 317). There are some causes, symptoms, complications and treatment of anorexia nervosa.

There is no single cause for the eating disorder anorexia but a number of factors including emotional disorders and cultural influences. Researchers have shown that emotional disorders such as depression collaborate in causing anorexia nervosa. This is because most anorexic patients have been found to have abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitt

The symptoms of anorexia vary since most women with the disorder keep it a secret but the major symptom is the change in size. According to an article from WebMd " the primary symptom of anorexia is major weight loss from excessive and continuos dieting which may either be restrictive dieting or binge-eating and purging"(www.webmd.com). The feet and hands of the anorexic patient may be cold or swollen sometimes. The stomach is often distressed after eating and is often bloated. Thinking may be confused or slowed, and an anorexic patient may have poor memory and judgement. Again all of these symptoms vary from individuals as could be seen in young women who have diabetes and anorexia. Such people may have a normal weight or even be overweight but still anorexic. A study conducted by Harvard medical school psychiatrist Dr. Theodore .A. Stern concluded, "the most bewildering symptom of anorexia is the distorted body image"(Psychology Today May 96). In another study people with anorexia tended to have an accurate perception of their upper body, but over estimated the size of their abdominal and pelvic area.

There are a lot of complications that could arise from anorexia. Studies of anorexic patients reported death ranging from 4% to 20% (The World of Psychology Page 317). According to the FDA heart disease is the most common medical cause of death for people with anorexia. This is because the heart can develop dangerous rhythms, including slow rhythms known as bradycardia.

Reproductive and hormonal abnormalities can occur due to anorexia. Anorexia causes low levels of reproductive hormones, changes in thyroid hormones, and increases the level of stress hormones, which causes amenorrhea. According to Psychology Today "long term irregular or absent menstruation is common which eventually may cause sterility and bone loss. The major scare of anorexia is that it can cause death. According to the e world of psychology " Unfortunately up to 20% of those suffering from anorexia nervosa eventually die of starvation or complications from organ damage"(The World of Psychology Page 371). The World of Psychology summarizes the comp

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