Anorexia nervosa

A mental disorder manifested by extreme fear of becoming obese, refusal to maintain a normal minimal body weight and an aversion to food, predominently in females, having onset usually in adolescence often resulting in life-threatening weight loss, disturbance in body image resulting in a feeling of being fat even when extremely emaciated, hyperactivity and amenorrhea.associated features seen in many cases are denial of the illnessand resistance to psychotherapy, markedly decreased interest in sex, eating binges, self induced vomiting, abuse of laxative and diuretics, and peculiar behaviour connecting with food, such as hiding food around house. Hospitalization to prevent death from starvation in many cases is necessary.