Ananya’s story

Ragini* (name changed upon request) is a single mother and a middle school teacher in the Southwestern United States. She has a teenage daughter, Ananya, who skips meals and makes excuses for not eating.  She eats very little and Ragini has noticed that she sometimes vomits after eating. She focuses too much on healthy eating and points out the harms of overeating. She often checks herself in the mirror and exercises a lot. She has withdrawn from social activities and has been losing weight. She looks very thin.  Ragini is worried about her and has approached us seeking help with her problem. 

Question: Is my worry for Ananya justified?

Dr. Sharma: Yes, Ragini, your worry for Ananya is quite justified. What you mention are the warning signs for a serious eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. It is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight. In this condition, the perception of weight and shape of the body is unrealistic, and the person intensely tries to reduce their weight. Such attempts at weight reduction can cause severe health problems. Unfortunately, it is common among teenage girls and estimates show that about 3% of adolescent girls experience this kind of condition.

Question: What are these serious health problems?

Dr. Sharma: Ragini, eating disorders can lead to various nutritional deficiencies in the body that can lead to anemia, muscle wasting, thinning of bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis), brittle hair and nails, dry skin, and infertility. It can affect the growth and development of the body especially in the formative years of adolescence leading to complications later in life.  It can cause immediate effects such as low blood pressure, severe constipation, slowed breathing, slowed heart rate, feeling cold, and feeling lethargic and tired.  If untreated it can lead to heart damage, brain damage, and multi-organ damage. It has been shown that girls with this condition are more prone to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts or behavior.  As Ananya has been showing, it can lead to social and relationship problems and even affect academic performance.

Question:  How did Ananya develop this problem?

Dr. Sharma: Ragini, anyone can develop this condition. For Ananya, it seems to have started in her teenage years which is the most common time of onset, and it can be corrected at this stage.  There are several predisposing factors such as someone in the family having this condition, any other mental health conditions, experience of trauma, peer pressure, being bullied about one’s weight at school, stress at home or work, advertisements, incidents of dieting among other family members who may be overly conscious of their weight. So, we see that there is no single cause, but it is a multifactorial condition.

Question: What can I do to help Ananya?

Dr. Sharma: Seeking professional help is required at this point.  You cannot handle it alone and must take the help of a healthcare provider.  The earlier Ananya gets treatment, the sooner she will make a complete recovery.  Guilt and shame are often common barriers to seeking treatment, and you can help Annaya overcome these barriers if that is the case.  You can start by consulting your primary care provider who can refer Annaya to specialized services as needed.  Specialized services would include medical treatment, nutritional counseling, and psychotherapy (individual or family).  In the meanwhile, you can be a role model for her by choosing a healthy diet, not dieting yourself, exercising adequately (not overdoing it), not using any dietary supplements, and having an honest discussion with her.

Question: Can Ayurveda help?

Dr. Sharma:  Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing method that is based on establishing a balance between the three doshas, Kapha, Vata, and Pitta. In anorexia nervosa, the Vata component which is related to air is increased. So, to balance this, Ayurveda prescribes the use of foods appealing to a variety of tastes and textures that stimulate the taste buds.  The foods should be rich in proteins and fats to regain the loss of weight.  Further, warm foods are advocated to foster nourishment of the body and bring calmness to the mind.

Question: Can you provide resources for anorexia?

Dr. Sharma: Here are some resources from where you can find more information:

If you have questions, reach out to Dr. Sharma at editor@indiacurrents.com 

* Name changed on request.

Manoj Sharma, MBBS, Ph.D., MCHES® is an Indian-American global public health expert, author, and educator who has written several books and publications on mental health and wellness. He answers queries...