Depression Anorexia Research
There has been some research done on depression and anorexia and how they are related in many cases but there needs to be more so the problem can be resolved more often before the damage to the body is so extreme that it can not be reversed. The public needs to become more aware and educated about anorexia and what the dangers of it can be. Until the 1970's there was not much research done on anorexia and other eating disorders because doctors and scientists did not realize it was a problem. Today there has been over 8 million people diagnosed with anorexia and other eating disorder so there are probably just as many that have not been diagnosed. Men and women of all ages can be plagued with this disease. The majority of diagnosed cases are between 10 and 20 and the average age is 17. There are a few rare cases younger than 10 and there are quite a few cases over the age of 20. Some senior citizens suffer from anorexia because they have had a loss of a loved one, decrease in appetite for some reason such as an illness, or they just forget to eat. The most deaths from anorexia are people who are over 70 years of age and the majority of these are male.
Depression is just one symptom or sign of anorexia. There are many signs or symptoms to look for in an anorexic victim. There is a drastic thinness although the victim tries to hide it under layers or baggy clothing. There is sometimes fatigue, dizziness, fainting, brittle nails, excessive exercise, trouble concentrating, lack of emotion, low blood pressure, dehydration, dry skin, constipation, soft hair all over the body, cessation of menstruation (in females), decreased testosterone (in males), thinning, falling out, or breaking hair, irregular heart beat, mitral valve prolapse, heart failure, lung damage (similar to emphysema), skipping meals, making excuses not to eat, weighing often, looking in the mirror often, thinking you are fat even though you are underweight, bloating, nausea, kidney problems, liver problems, bone loss, and more.
Anorexia can cause damage to all vital parts of the body and if the victim does not seek help soon enough there can be some damage that can not be reversed with treatment. Sometimes there is death because the damage was just too extensive. Some victims who receive treatment may have to suffer from some damage for the rest of their lives. The key is to get treatment as soon as possible. When one has anorexia their brain keeps telling them that they are fat so they feel that they have to keep losing weight. The victim usually does not admit they have a problem until their health begins to fail them and they require medical attention.
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