The word anorexia means "loss of appetite," but this name is misleading. Anorectics—95 percent of whom are women—often have a normal appetite but because of an abnormal fear of being fat and a distorted body image, they're convinced that they're obese and refuse to eat. In most cases their weight is within—or below—acceptable limits. Anorexia is considered a psychological disorder because there is no known physical cause for the extreme weight loss associated with the condition.

Tipoffs of Anorexia

You may be anorectic if you:

• Lose at least 25 percent of your original weight.

• Have not had a physical or mental illness that could have caused the weight loss.

• Think of yourself as fat even if you're not.

• Fear being overweight and losing control over your eating behavior.

• Refuse to eat enough to maintain or return to a normal weight.

• Fail to menstruate for at least three consecutive months.

• Feel that all of your energy is going into controlling your weight.

• Feel that staying hungry is the only way you can avoid becoming fat.

Other signs that you may have anorexia include growth of a fine covering of hair all over your body, sensitivity to cold, and constipation. You may also feel depressed or anxious.

Weight loss is the most visible symptom of anorexia. Most anorectics drastically reduce the amount of food they eat. Some cut back mainly on certain types of "fattening" foods such as bread and sweets, while others eat less of everything. Sometimes anorectics lose control and go on an eating binge. Like bulimics, they usually follow this binge with laxatives or self-induced vomiting, to prevent food from being absorbed into the body.

Many anorectics are compulsive exercisers, and their typical program is far more strenuous than normal. Women with anorexia often devote a major portion of their waking hours to aerobics, weight training, calisthenics, or running.

While most women worry about their weight and diet at some point in their lives, the anorectic organizes her life around food. If a social occasion involves eating, she'll decline the invitation. The dieter, on the other hand, will generally put in an appearance and try not to eat too much.