Anorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder typified by low weight, a fear of weight gain, a prominent desire to be thin, a misrepresented self-image of one’s own body, and an improper restriction towards food. Having a major psychological component, anorexia nervosa can potentially be life-threatening. This disease has a strong connection with self-starvation.

Types of Anorexia Nervosa:
The two general types of anorexia nervosa are: Restricting type and Binge Eating / Purging type.

Restrictive Anorexia
In restrictive anorexia, individuals restrict their diet so much that it may lead to starvation. People suffering from restrictive anorexia have an extreme fear of gaining weight. This is why they acutely reduce their intake of calories and starve themselves. The distinguishing characteristics that are associated with restrictive anorexia are abnormal eating habits and a refusal towards eating.

Binge / Purge Anorexia
In the binging / purging type of anorexia, individuals consume a greater amount of food in a sitting and then, due to feelings of guilt and sorrow, compensate through vomiting, by having unrestrained amounts of laxatives to the extent of getting diarrhoea, and by exercising excessively. Mostly in binge / purge anorexia, individuals will limit their diet for long intervals of time and then binge eat excessive amounts of food that are high in sugar and/or carbohydrates.