ANOREXIA NERVOSA

extreme body emaciation caused by emotional or psychological aversion to foods and to eating. The condition occurs predominantly in young women. Emotional manifestations may range from a neurotic overreaction to a weight-reduction diet to full-blown schizophrenic delusions resulting in the abhorrence of food. Body weight may drop to half of normal. Associated symptoms usually consist of variable digestive disturbances, with vomiting that may be spontaneous or self-induced, and of amenorrhea (failure to menstruate). There seem to be no causative organic defects. In contrast to famine victims, sufferers from anorexia nervosa are often able to maintain their strength and daily activities at approximately normal levels; they appear characteristically unconcerned with their undernourished state and do not feel hungry. The treatment of anorexia nervosa is seldom straightforward and requires full cooperation among the patient, attending physician, and a psychiatrist. Some cases do not respond to treatment, and a small percentage result in death.