Can you get anorexia nervosa from your parents?

Can you get anorexia nervosa from your parents?

Today, a growing body of research indicates that you can indeed get anorexia from your parents, but not in the way previously thought. Eating disorders appear to be as strongly genetically linked as many other major psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder,…

When do people with anorexia become anorexic?

Nine out of 10 people with anorexia are female and about 1 percent of U.S. females between ages 10 and 25 is anorexic. A person can be considered anorexic when she restricts her food intake to such an extent it leads to significantly low body weight accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and an excessive concern with body weight or shape.

Is there a genetic study of anorexia nervosa?

This is the first-ever U.S. government-funded genetic study of anorexia. It aims to find regions of the human genome that contain genes influencing risk for anorexia. (Ten sites in the U.S., Canada, and Europe are now recruiting families for the study. You can find out more at http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/angenetics/ .)

How does anorexia nervosa affect your mental health?

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and a serious, potentially life-threatening, mental health condition. People who have anorexia are very anxious about their weight and body shape. They try to keep their weight as low as possible by strictly controlling and limiting what they eat. Many people with anorexia will also exercise excessively.

Can a family member have anorexia nervosa?

The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. However, the condition sometimes runs in families; young women with a parent or sibling with an eating disorder are likelier to develop one themselves.

Nine out of 10 people with anorexia are female and about 1 percent of U.S. females between ages 10 and 25 is anorexic. A person can be considered anorexic when she restricts her food intake to such an extent it leads to significantly low body weight accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and an excessive concern with body weight or shape.

Do you have to be underweight to have anorexia nervosa?

Contrary to popular belief, a person does not even need to be underweight to have anorexia. Anorexia can be serious; it has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

What makes an anorexic person a good person?

In fact, the typical anorexic person is a good student involved in school and community activities. Many experts think that anorexia is part of an unconscious attempt to come to terms with unresolved conflicts or painful childhood experiences.