The differential diagnoses of anorexia nervosa (AN) includes various types of medical and psychological conditions, which may be misdiagnosed as AN. In some cases, these conditions may be comorbid with AN because the misdiagnosis of AN is not uncommon.
Table of Contents
How do I know if I have atypical anorexia?
- Significant weight loss yet being of a weight within normal limits.
- Yellowing/drying skin.
- Abdominal Pain.
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Reduced immune system.
- Constipation.
- Lethargy and low energy.
What is the difference between anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa?
The major difference between the two disorders is that people with atypical anorexia don’t experience the dramatic and sudden weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa. People with atypical anorexia nervosa usually maintain a medically acceptable BMI and may sometimes be overweight.
What are the 5 symptoms of anorexia?
- Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gains.
- Thin appearance.
- Abnormal blood counts.
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Bluish discoloration of the fingers.
- Hair that thins, breaks or falls out.
Is Atypical anorexia more common?
Additionally, generally in prevalence studies of eating disorders, atypical anorexia tends to be reported at higher rates than typical anorexiaโso this is problematic, as well, because it might be that for those presenting with symptoms of anorexia, it’s more common to be atypical than typical.
What percentage of anorexia is atypical?
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa Facts Atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis requires both significant, rapid weight loss AND cognitive concern, AKA “weight suppression.” The prevalence of atypical anorexia nervosa by age 20 years is 28% (vs < 1% for anorexia nervosa).
What can anorexia be mistaken for?
- Celiac disease. Over 18,000 women with celiac disease were studied and shown to have both celiac and anorexia prior to and after a celiac diagnosis.
- Achalasia.
- Illness anxiety disorder.
- Body dysmorphic disorder.
- Bulimia nervosa.
Can you be anorexic without caring about weight?
However, it’s important to remember that someone can have anorexia without being underweight. In addition to weight-related signs of anorexia, there are also physical symptoms that are actually side effects of starvation and malnutrition.
Can I have anorexia if I’m not underweight?
But unlike people with anorexia nervosa, those with atypical anorexia aren’t underweight. Their body weight tends to fall within or above the so-called normal range. Over time, people with atypical anorexia can become underweight and meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa.
Is there a mild form of anorexia?
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia nervosa may be mild and transient or severe and persistent. The first indications that someone is developing anorexia nervosa may be a subtle increased concern with diet and body weight in a person who is not significantly overweight.
What are the most obvious signs of anorexia?
Extreme weight loss, malnutrition, and hair loss are among the prominent primary symptoms of advanced anorexia nervosa, but before determining if specialized anorexia nervosa treatment is needed, doctors and psychiatrists usually try to determine if other signs of the condition are present.
What are red flags for anorexia?
If you are concerned that you or someone you know has anorexia, watch for these red flags that may indicate the need for anorexia treatment: Frequent comments about feeling fat or overweight, despite weight loss. Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food. Lying about how much food has been …
When does anorexia become serious?
The disorder is diagnosed when a person weighs at least 15% less than their normal/ideal body weight. Extreme weight loss in people with anorexia nervosa can lead to dangerous health problems and even death.
Can you be a healthy weight with an eating disorder?
But in 2013, a new category of eating disorder was formally recognized: atypical anorexia nervosa. Individuals with this condition meet all other diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa but have a normal body weight.
Can atypical anorexia cause baldness?
Consequences of Atypical Anorexia Nervosa These consequences can impact every part of the body, and in some cases, affect the individual for the rest of their life. They include: Thinning hair or hair loss3.
Is atypical anorexia nervosa in the DSM 5?
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), changes were made to the atypical anorexia nervosa example under other specified feeding or eating disorder to increase clarity and avoid misclassification.
What does extreme hunger feel like?
Extreme hunger is an intense feeling of hunger โ as if you don’t feel full no matter what you eat or you feel hungry again shortly after a meal. Your stomach may growl, feel empty, or you may feel dizzy or fatigued. When this happens, it can be hard to think about anything else until you eat something again.
What is Ednos?
EDNOS is a diagnosis that is often received when an individual meets many, but not all, of the criteria for anorexia or bulimia. For females, all the criteria for anorexia are met except that of loss of regular periods.
What is secondary anorexia?
Secondary anorexia is one of the main factors responsible for the development of malnutrition, which in turn negatively affects patient morbidity and mortality. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of secondary anorexia.
What are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa?
Two subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa exist: the restricting subtype and the binge-eating/purging subtype. If you struggle with the restricting subtype, you may maintain low body weight by significantly limiting food intake.
Can anorexia cause pubic hair loss?
Other signs of anorexia Eating too little for a long time can result in physical symptoms, such as: fine downy hair (lanugo) growing on the body. more hair on the face. pubic hair becoming sparse and thin.
How do you overcome atypical anorexia?
Treatment for Atypical Anorexia Family-based therapy, which includes the whole family in addressing malnutrition and normalizing eating behaviors. Nutritional rehabilitation. Individual therapy. Cognitive remediation therapy.
What does atypical anorexia mean?
Atypical anorexia (AAN) is an eating disorder where you avoid or restrict food. People with AAN have a “normal” or high body weight. Like other types of anorexia, AAN can cause serious health problems, hospitalization, and even death.
What is non fat phobic anorexia?
Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) who do not report fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, so called non-fat phobic anorexia nervosa (NFP-AN; Lee et al., 1993), seem to occur with a wide geographic distribution in both western and non-western populations and exhibit a consistent profile of low scores on measures …
What is the difference between being thin and being anorexic?
A person who is naturally thin might eat less than the average person, but wouldn’t restrict themselves. On the other hand, a person who is anorexic will have severe fears about gaining weight. They would feel that even a small portion of food could lead them to gain weight.