What constitutes anorexia, exactly..?

Okay, so I have been taught in school for many years that anorexia is when people don't eat in order to lose weight. I know anorexia is made up of more than that, however. The only problem is that I don't know what, and I want to, because I am starting to think that I may be some form of anorexic.

Anyway, I don't want to get into the whole background information. What I want to know is whether or not anorexia consists of more than just the starvation. Does it ivolve "fasting"? (Drinking liquids with nurtition and calories, but primarily only liquids with some "off" days.) And does it involve mental thoughts, or something like that?

Thanks a lot, to whomever replies.

Anorexia is so much more than  a physical disease.  Yes, anorexics starve themselves and fast...but it is mental too.  It is often about(and was with me)about control.  Eating is something you can control.  Starving yourself becomes addicting.  Trust me, you dont want to fall into that trap.  If wrecks your health and your life.  It consumes you.  There are many websites out there with tons of info. If you think you have a problem please get help before it gets worse.

Hi ~ here's a fairly comprehensive article on anorexia.

anorexia is much more complicated than most people think especially since its an illness with both dire physical AND mental consequences.

mentally there is an intense obsession with anything having to do with food/calories/fitness/nutriton/etc....like seriously barely anything else matters besides that, you even withdraw from socialising and stuff you used to like doing. Like at my worst point in anorexia i would watch the food network and read fitness magazines 24/7. additionally, when eating or ingesting ANYTHING, intense guilt accompanies in many cases and discomfort.

Physically....the symptoms are endless. Besides quick weight loss, restricting...further consequences include the gradual shutting down of everything (slower digestion/loss of hunger feelings, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails, dull skin, bruises, etc).

Ok First of, if you have any thoughts that you may be anorexic you should be talking to a professional. i.e. nutritionist, medical doctor, therapist. Secondly, Yes Anorexia is more than starving yourself. It takes over your whole being. You constantly think about your weight, what you eat, what you want to eat, recipes, food, ect. You start planning what you'll eat tomorow, the next day, ect.  Also anorexics dont just stop eating all together, they resrict their food intake, meaning they may still eat certain "safe" foods. Possibly like your liquid Diet you're talking about... Point being, you may want to look into getting some help and possibly stop using the calorie coutner website to fan the fire.

I think I've suffered from different components of anorexia at different times..first eating waayyy too little, then being food-obsessed [or -afraid], and now, being underweight. Without them being all experienced at once, those components are nothing but "starving", a "food obsession", and "underweight". I think you need to experience all components to technically be considered "anorexic". I mean, you can be eating too little and be underweight, but not afraid of eating more. Or you can be obsessed with food and underweight, but be eating enough. OR you could be eating little and obsessed with food, but not underweight.. okay, so that didn't really answer your question, but I just thought I'd throw that in!

Anorexia is first and foremost...a MENTAL disorder. It all starts in the mind. Being underweight is a serious symptom of anorexia. It is a disease that can kill. It bothers me because some people think it is out of "vanity" or that sufferers are just seeking attention. Let me tell you that is NOT the case...and it goes SOOOO much deeper than that.

Eating Disorders are often related to OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and having routines and practicing perfectionism. Unfortunately in alot of cases...eating 900 calories per/day may be apart of that, exercising for 120 minutes and no less per/day. --- are examples of the obsessive part of eating disorders. (which I am very familiar with).

Of course, everyone has their own story. Eating Disorders can stem from tragic life situations, or even the thin-crazed media. But what it all comes down to is the mind. It is truly chemical and psychological. However, like others have said...Talking to a professional is the best way to figure out what is going on.

I won't repeat what's already been answered, but I'd just like to add that physical symptoms are pretty much a domino effect of the mental symptoms.

Also, anorexia is usually slowly taken on. Usually, people who truly have the disease don't wake up one morning and say, "I'm only going to eat 500 calories from now on." It usually starts off with dieting, then the numbers, both calories and pounds, just keep dropping. As the brain is deprived of calories, its power to function gets worse, and your thoughts really get messed up and distorted. Anorexia is also linked with OCD, depression, etc. It's not a one-size fits all disease.

anorexia is not just some "extreme diet" it's mostly a mental disease. a lot of girls suffe3ring from anorexia or bulimia do NOT do it just to be thin. some girls want to be SO thin so that no man will be attracted to them... because they were molested and it **** their mind up. In my case I used to be really bad with my eating because I was just...depressed. I didn't want to be beautiful so I never ate and i wore very large clothes so that I wouldn't be noticable. It wasn't about being thin... it was about having CONTROL... over at least one thing in my life.