Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and an obsession with food and weight. It affects both men and women, but it is more common in women. This article will define anorexia nervosa, explore its origins, and examine its meaning in different dictionaries.
Definitions
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by a persistent and severe restriction of food intake, leading to significant weight loss, and a disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even when they are underweight. They often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously thin.
Origin
The term anorexia nervosa comes from the Greek words “an” meaning without, “orexis” meaning appetite, and “nervosa” meaning nervous. It was first used in the medical literature in the late 19th century to describe a condition that was similar to what we now know as anorexia nervosa.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anorexia nervosa is “an eating disorder characterized by a pathological fear of weight gain, a distorted self-image, a persistent unwillingness to eat, and severe weight loss.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “an emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat or by vomiting after eating.”
Associations
Anorexia nervosa is often associated with other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can also lead to physical health problems, such as malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. In severe cases, anorexia nervosa can be life-threatening.
Synonyms
Synonyms for anorexia nervosa include anorexia, anorexic, and eating disorder.
Antonyms
Antonyms for anorexia nervosa include overeating, binge eating, and obesity.
The same root words
The word anorexia comes from the Greek words “an” meaning without and “orexis” meaning appetite. The word nervosa comes from the Latin word “nervosus” meaning nervous.
Example Sentences
- She was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa after losing a significant amount of weight and refusing to eat.
- Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health disorder that requires medical treatment.
- Individuals with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously thin.