Hello,
I was curious if it is possible to have non-self induced anorexia? As far as normal definitions go for anorexia, I realize it's an eating disorder centered around an obsession with starving one's self for the sole purpose of control and weight loss. However, I've done some research and have noticed that some websites/doctors categorize it also as just a loss of appetite and weight loss. This made me wonder if it's possible to be diagnosed with anorexia by being extremely underweight and just suffering from a very suppressed or highly fluctuating, but inconsistent appetite. Just curious if anyone may have some insight on this.

While anything is possible, normally no. The person may not even be aware of it, and it is a mental perception and they not see anything wrong with what they are doing. And mentally they just repress the hunger feelings or deny them. But if they are at that level of effecting health, normally it will still fall into a mental issue.

But of course all medical causes can and should be reviewed,

Anorexia is a medical term for unintentional loss of weight or appetite.

Anorexia nervosa is the term for the mental illness you speak of.

They are two total and separate diagnoses.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by J_9

Anorexia is a medical term for unintentional loss of weight or appetite.

Anorexia nervosa is the term for the mental illness you speak of.

They are two total and separate diagnoses.

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It seems like the two get taught synonymously, but so much so that it's only viewed as a mental illness. I recently finished a nutrition course that touched briefly on this and it covered mostly anorexia nervosa/bulimia. All the research I've seen tends to disregard the first definition and focus more on the latter definition, as well. Thanks for clarifying!