anorexia nervosa

[an-uh-rek-see-uh nur-voh-suh]

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an eating disorder primarily affecting adolescent girls and young women, characterized by pathological fear of becoming fat, distorted body image, excessive dieting, and emaciation.

anorexia nervosa

1. An eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image, fear of becoming obese, persistent aversion to food, and severe weight loss and malnutrition. It most commonly affects teenage girls and young women, who often develop amenorrhea, osteoporosis and other abnormalities.

anorexia nervosa

1. A psychosomatic disorder in which the sufferer refuses to eat and undertakes activities (such as self-induced vomiting) to bring about extreme weight loss. Anorexia, which is also characterized by a distorted self-image, occurs most often in young women aged twelve to twenty-one and may result in death if medical treatment is not obtained. Treatment for anorexia often includes extensive counseling to reveal underlying emotional problems.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anorexia nervosa¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from New Latin: “nervous anorexia”

Example Sentences

He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway, after the death of model Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 from anorexia nervosa.

From BBC

After plucking up the courage to seek help, I was eventually diagnosed with anorexia nervosa with binging tendencies.

From BBC

Milly Goldsmith, 27, a lifestyle influencer from London, struggled with anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphia from the age of 13 to 18.

From BBC

In fact, until 2013, the loss of menstruation had long been considered an official symptom of anorexia nervosa.

From New York Times

With anorexia nervosa having the second highest mortality rate of psychiatric diseases, more research is desperately needed into new prevention strategies and treatments.

From Science Daily