What is Anorexia Nervosa?

A sufferer of anorexia nervosa starves themselves of food in order to lose weight.

This usually begins as an attempt to fit in with the societal 'norm' of thinness exemplified in today's modern western world.

The anorexic is attempting to gain control over aspects of her life over which she feels she has no influence.

It's as though all her problems and anxieties are more easily dealt with if they are rolled into one - fat.

She really does feel that if she loses weight, everything else will fall into place.

Fundamentally, depression is at the root of anorexia nervosa, as it is with any form of eating disorder.

People suffering from eating disorders have, to varying degrees, lost touch with themselves as people - human beings with human needs and human failings.

They identify most strongly with their bodies and what they believe to be other's perception of them, therefore viewing themselves more as objects than as people, and feel that in order to be accepted and loved, they must mold that object into a form which is acceptable to others.

Their attempt to alter their physical appearance is an attempt to gain love and acceptance.

Why? you probably ask.

Have you ever gone on a diet, feeling that if you lost a few pounds you'd feel better about yourself?

Have you ever bought a new wardrobe for the same reason?

Had your hair done?

Most of us, to one extent or another, mold ourselves into whatever we believe people want from us, because we all need love and acceptance from others in order to feel fulfilled and happy.

The problem with someone suffering from anorexia nervosa, or indeed any type of depression, is that they are not aware of their real needs.

The reason for this is that they have been objectified, and therefore view themselves only in terms of the physical, rather than as a multi-layered person with a variety of needs which need to be met - by themselves and by others.

Somewhere along the line, people suffering from anorexia nerovsa have got 'crossed wires.'

The way in which they have been objectified has led them to believe that to need and to feel is wrong.

To understand this further, Maslow's hierarchy of needs comes in very handy. Click here to read Maslow's Hierchary of Needs and how they may relate to anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders