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Anorexia nervosa causes severe physical symptoms including thinning hair and brittle nails, dry or yellowish skin, and gastrointestinal issues like constipation. Cardiovascular complications such as low blood pressure develop, along with thinning bones and hormonal disturbances. In females, amenorrhea (cessation of menstrual periods) commonly occurs due to chronic malnutrition.

Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in anorexia nervosa. Identical twins are more likely to share the disorder than fraternal twins, indicating strong hereditary influence. Research links specific genes that reduce serotonin availability to a 30% increased risk of developing anorexia, demonstrating the biological underpinnings of this eating disorder.

Perfectionism, low self-esteem, and fear of judgment significantly increase vulnerability to anorexia nervosa. Individuals with the disorder are frequently preoccupied with how others perceive them, amplifying anxiety and compulsion to control weight. These psychological vulnerabilities interact with biological and environmental factors to sustain the disorder.

Media glorification of thinness and societal beauty standards fuel body dissatisfaction, particularly among young women. Family environments characterized by competitiveness, high achievement expectations, and overprotectiveness are frequently associated with anorexia. These sociocultural pressures exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and reinforce disordered eating behaviors.

Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted body image and perceive themselves as overweight despite being extremely thin. This persistent misperception drives their intense fear of gaining weight and relentless pursuit of thinness through starvation. The distorted perception remains even as body weight becomes dangerously low.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate among psychological disorders, with approximately 5.6% of individuals dying within 10 years of diagnosis. Deaths result from heart failure, organ dysfunction, or suicide. The combination of severe malnutrition, cardiovascular complications, and psychological distress makes this eating disorder life-threatening.

Anorexia nervosa predominantly affects females, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.5% to 3.7% in young women. Most individuals are non-Latina White female adolescents or young adults from well-educated middle and upper-income families. Although less common in males, the condition is equally serious and requires comprehensive treatment approaches.