F50.012

Clinical Causes: Genetic predisposition: Family history of eating disorders or mental health conditions. Psychological factors: Low self-esteem, perfectionism, or high levels of anxiety. Cultural influences: Societal pressure to be thin or body image ideals. Environmental factors: Traumatic experiences or socio-cultural emphasis on appearance. Biological factors: Imbalances in brain chemicals related to hunger and mood. Social influences: Peer pressure, media portrayal of beauty standards.

Key Symptoms: Significant weight loss and low body weight. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Distorted body image perception. Preoccupation with food, dieting, and calories. Restricted eating patterns, such as skipping meals or avoiding certain foods. Physical signs like dizziness, weakness, fatigue, cold intolerance, and hair thinning. Amenorrhea or irregular menstrual periods (in many cases). Low blood pressure and heart rate in severe cases. Obsessive behaviors related to eating and weight control.

Diagnosis Path: Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, including a physical examination, assessment of body weight and BMI, psychological evaluation, and medical tests to rule out other conditions. Confirming a BMI between 15.0 and 15.99 kg/m² along with the restriction of food intake and psychological symptoms helps establish severity and guide treatment planning.

Treatment Protocols: Treating severe anorexia nervosa typically requires a multidisciplinary approach, which may include medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions. Initial goals focus on weight restoration and addressing nutritional deficiencies. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is often employed to modify disordered thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms like depression or anxiety. Continuous medical monitoring is essential to prevent and treat complications associated with severe malnutrition.