Anorexia Nervosa

The cause of anorexia nervosa is not fully understood. It is thought to develop from a mix of physical, emotional, and social triggers.

• Extreme dieting changes how the brain and Reference metabolism Opens New Window work, and it stresses the body. These changes may make you more likely to develop an eating disorder.
• Genetics play a big part in anorexia and Reference bulimia Opens New Window. Compared with people who don't have these disorders, people who have eating disorders are more likely to have a family history of an eating disorder, obesity, or a mood disorder (such as anxiety or depression).
• A combination of certain Reference personality traits (such as low self-confidence along with perfectionism) and Reference cultural and social pressures can play a part in anorexia.
• For some teens, anorexia may be a way of coping with stress and the challenges of the teen years. Stressful life events, such as moving, divorce, or the death of a loved one, can trigger anorexia.

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