Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder involving restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body weight or shape.
Definition
Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition marked by significantly low body weight relative to needs, driven by fear of weight gain and body-image disturbance. It has serious medical risks and requires professional care. Screening tools like the EAT-26 flag risk but do not diagnose.
What it can feel like
- Severely restricting food intake.
- Intense fear of gaining weight.
- Seeing yourself as overweight despite being underweight.
- Excessive exercise or preoccupation with calories.
Related screening tests on LuriaLab
- Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26)
Related glossary terms
Frequently asked questions
Is anorexia only about food?
No. Food restriction is one feature, but anorexia involves complex emotional, psychological, and control-related factors and serious physical risks.
When is anorexia a medical emergency?
Severe weight loss, fainting, chest pain, or heart symptoms need urgent medical care. Screening is not a substitute for medical evaluation.
Sources
- Garner DM, et al. EAT-26
- NICE — eating disorders guidance
Last reviewed: 2026-07-02. Screening tools on LuriaLab are for education only and do not provide a diagnosis.