Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent refusal of food leading to dangerously low body weight (Durand & Barlow, 2007). It is also characterized by a morbid fear of gaining weight and losing control over eating. Anorexia most commonly begins in a teenager who is overweight or believes he or she is, so he or she begins a diet. What begins as a simple diet quickly becomes a life-threatening disorder. Drastic weight loss is achieved through severe calorie restriction or by combining calorie restriction with excessive, intense exercise and/or purging. Anorexia can cause physical complications, emotional and behavioral changes and can be very difficult to overcome. Anorexia nervosa causes serious physical complications that get worse the longer a person suffers from it. The most common attribute is extreme weight loss (Durand & Barlow, 2007). There are some complications that are not as dangerous as others such as fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, thinning hair, and dry skin (Mayo clinic staff, 2012). While not good, these symptoms are not life-threatening. Other more dangerous complications can include abnormal blood counts, irregular heart rhythm, low blood pressure, dehydration, anemia, bone loss, gastrointestinal problems, and kidney problems. If a person becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, perhaps irreversibly. More serious cases can lead to death. Anorexia nervosa also causes emotional and behavioral characteristics. Some of the emotional changes that may occur include fear of gaining weight, lack of emotion, social withdrawal, irritability, and depressed mood (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Behavioral changes include refusing to eat, lying about how they have... middle of paper... people in their lives. Anorexia causes many dangerous side effects, emotional and behavioral changes and can be very difficult to overcome. More research is needed to discover the causes of anorexia and help prevent it. The exact causes are still unknown (Mayo clinic staff, 2012). It has been theorized that the cause is a combination of environmental, biological and psychological factors. Anorexia has become a serious problem among today's youth. It is a disorder that can lead to death if left untreated. We need to know more so we can prevent and treat anorexia and save lives. References Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012, January 5). Anorexia nervosa. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/causes/con-20033002Durand. and Barlow, (2007). Essentials of abnormal psychology. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.