Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Excessive weight loss
• Obsession with food, calories, and fat content
• Dieting even when thin
• Intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight
• Body dysmorphia—distorted self-image of being overweight despite evidence to the contrary
• Basing self-evaluation heavily on body weight or shape
• Loss of menstrual periods (secondary amenorrhea ) or delay in menarche (onset of periods)
• Excessive exercising
• Feeling cold, especially hands and feet
• Being secretive about food
• Hair loss and/or growth of fine hair on the body
• Fainting or severe light-headedness
• Constipation
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Heart palpitations

Anorexia often leads to a number of serious medical problems including:

• Amenorrhea (loss of periods)
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiac problems—can be fatal

Body Dysmorphia

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Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. There will also be psychological tests. There may be lab tests. Findings may include:

• Excessive loss of body fat
• Loss of muscle mass
• Low heart rate
• Low blood pressure, particularly when standing
• Decreased bone density
• Signs of sluggish metabolism