When you have a decreased appetite, you have a decreased desire to eat. It is also known as a loss of appetite or a bad appetite. Anorexia is the medical name for this. A wide range of illnesses can induce a decline in appetite. These include both mental and physical disorders. If you acquire a loss of appetite, you may also experience weight loss or malnutrition. These can be dangerous if left untreated, so it’s critical to figure out what’s causing your loss of appetite and treat it.

Psychogenic anorexia or anorexia nervosa is the type of eating disorder that we will discuss in detail in this article:

Psychogenic anorexia: definition

Psychogenic anorexia is a type of eating disorder characterized by low body weight and abnormal food-restricting behavior in people with the disorder.

This type of eating disorder affects women more than men, but men can also suffer from it, which comes in two basic forms: the first is restricting eating habits and excessive exercise, and the second is binge eating and getting rid of it.

Psychological loss of appetite: causes

The main cause of anorexia nervosa is not specific and is not known yet, but there are many risk factors that can lead to anorexia nervosa, including:

1. An imbalance in certain hormones in the body.
2. genetic disorder
3. Social barriers that favor thinness as a desirable trait.
4. External environmental factors such as the onset of puberty, social relationships, and other events.
5. Psychological factors, including the pursuit of full body along with anxiety and depression.

Psychological anorexia: symptoms

A person suffering from anorexia nervosa is not satisfied with their food choices and physical appearance, which usually leads to serious weight loss, and rapid and rapid weight loss and fear of weight gain are the most important symptoms of this group.

There are other symptoms that appear in people with mental anorexia, such as:

• vomiting;
• Abdominal pain.
• Discoloration of the skin.
• Tired.
• constipation;
• hair loss;
• Low blood pressure.

Psychogenic anorexia: diagnosis

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 5, a person suffering from anorexia nervosa has four criteria:

1. A person with anorexia nervosa refuses to gain weight, including the minimum weight depending on height and age, which in this case leads to a weight loss of 15% less than expected.
2. A person with psychogenic anorexia is afraid of being overweight or obese.
3. A person with anorexia nervosa suffers from disturbances in the perception of body weight and shape, and is unsure of how people perceive their weight and figure despite their low weight.
4. Psychogenic anorexia in women accompanies the menopause.

Psychological anorexia: treatment

While the standard treatment for anorexia nervosa is psychotherapy and nutritional intervention, where your doctor recommends eating foods rich in magnesium and zinc and avoiding caffeinated drinks, there are other approaches, including psychopharmacological treatments, that will speed up the process of gaining weight and reduce weight. Symptoms and abnormal psychological behavior.

Psychological anorexia: complications

Many of the complications of anorexia nervosa are caused by weight loss and poor nutrition, and the most common types of complications are circulatory disorders associated with anorexia and hypothermia.

Among the complications accompanying the lack of treatment or delayed treatment of mental anorexia nervosa are:

• Anemia.
• Imbalance of the body’s salts such as sodium and potassium.
• Kidney problems.
• Weakness and osteoporosis, and hence an increased risk of fractures.
• Sudden death if these symptoms are neglectedStudies Themortality rate among patients is six times higher than in the general population.

There is no guarantee that anorexia can be prevented, however, it can be prevented by identifying the early symptoms of the disease, and if the disease is diagnosed, it is recommended to consult a doctor and not neglect any abnormal symptoms to avoid the worst.