Do you know someone who is battling with Anorexia Nervosa? It might be our loved ones or some celebrity that we look up to. These anorexic celebrities have their story behind. But, before we get to their stories. Let us know the symptoms, probable causes, and treatment.
How did sensitization of weight biases become a norm? This is because of the people’s obsession towards self-image. People would think gaining weight would make them look different.
The self-image obsession would make you preoccupied with losing weight that would make you subconsciously have thoughts and unusual eating habits. When unnoticed, these eating habits may result in serious eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by:
- weight loss
- difficulty maintaining normal BMI
- distorted body image
- strict calorie restriction
- purge
- binge eat
- excessive and compulsive exercise
But, you do not need to look underweight to be battling with an eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa has no consideration, it can affect anyone. Whether you are young or old, female or male, whatever ethnicity, race, and sexual orientation, anorexia can strike at you.
There are two types of anorexia:
- Restrictive anorexia: A person with restrictive anorexia lose weight by restricting calorie intake by fasting, excessive exercise regimens, and drastic diets.
- Purging anorexia: This type of anorexia makes a person lose weight through using laxatives, diuretics, or even vomiting after eating a meal.
Are you anorexic? Do you feel fat even though you are not? Do you base your self-worth on your weight? These questions might help you ponder whether you have anorexia or not.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia
- Dramatic weight loss
- Preoccupied with thoughts of food
- Strange food rituals
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Unable to maintain a normal BMI
- Sleep problems
- Stomach cramps
- Dizziness
- Cold intolerant
- Dental problems
- Muscle weakness
- Weak immune system
- Dry and brittle nails
- Lanugo on body
- Menstrual irregularities
However, these questions and symptoms are not enough. Seek professional help so you would be diagnosed properly.
Possible Health Risks
In anorexia nervosa, you starve yourself. As the body denies the need for essential nutrients, it cannot function to its normal state. Thus, it is expected that the body will slow down its processes. As a consequence, the body will suffer from serious medical conditions.
Gastrointestinal System
- Gastroparesis (slow digestion)
- Constipation
- Ruptured Stomach
- Ruptured Esophagus
- Swollen Parotid Glands
- Inflammation of the Pancreas
- Intestinal obstruction, infection, or perforation
Neurological Problems
- Lack of concentration
- Sleeping difficulties
- Numbness and tingling sensation in extremities
- Dizziness
- Sleep apnea
Endocrine
- Decreased level of hormones
- Reduced metabolic rate
- High cholesterol levels
Our body might be resilient with medical conditions, you might appear perfectly fine. But, you have to be careful. There are conditions that would silently kill you. It is important to be aware of the things going on with anorexia nervosa.
We know that celebrities greatly influence a person’s life. Other than that, some of us are unaware that these gorgeous and stunning celebrities also suffered from anorexia nervosa.
We have come up with a list of anorexic celebrities, they are not ranked by popularity. But, they are surely famous actors, actresses, and musicians who have struggled with the sensitization of weight biases.
List of known Anorexic Celebrities
1. Sarah Hyland
In 2017, there was a social media outburst towards Sarah Hyland after she posted a photo on Instagram showing her thin frame. People accused her of promoting anorexia. Thus, in the photo she posted, she defended her self. The truth was she underwent treatment for her kidney dysplasia. She lost a lot of weight and muscle mass during the recovery. She may not still be in her normal weight, yet she made clear that she is making progress.
2. Ireland Baldwin
Ireland shared a throwback photo of herself showing her struggle with anorexia in the past. The model expressed her battle through anorexia, she got through it with acceptance and self-love.
3. Kate Moss
Obviously from what she said, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, it is no surprise that Kate Moss was too skinny. However, despite the physical symptom. Kate Moss received backlashes from organizations associated with eating disorders. She was branded as unhelpful, dangerous, and heroin chic. However, Kate Moss did not acknowledge that she was suffering from anorexia. She only claimed that she was busy with work and had no time to eat.
4. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga shared to the public that she struggled with anorexia and bulimia at a young age. Her photos show her weight gain and weight loss cycles. She knew how hard battling stigma and sensitization of weight biases. Thus, she organized the “Born This Way Foundation”. Her foundation accommodated platforms and resources that would help the young people get through distorted body image, bullying, and drug and alcohol abuse. Motivation to express themselves and reach out to other people may be hard, yet her organization made sure that they give compassion and understanding to these struggling young people.
5. Whitney Cummings
When she was still a child, Whitney witnessed both her biological and stepmother getting into weight diet. By then, she developed an irrational fear of becoming fat. Whitney became alarmingly thin. She admits having a distorted body image. Whitney overcame her struggles with the support from her family and friends and abiding by proper and healthy nutrition.
6. Caleb Followill
Caleb was popular from Kings of Leons, he already struggled with anorexia when he was still a teen. His feeling of inferiority led to low self-esteem which urged him to do heavy and extreme workouts. By then, he noticed that he has an eating disorder and he self-harms. However, he was able to manage the battle with anorexia.
7. Troian Bellisario
Back in 2013, Troian, the Pretty Little Liar star openly shared her battle against anorexia. She said, she found herself not interacting with people and stopped nourishing herself. After her movie Feed that showed the struggles of a person with an eating disorder, Troian found herself. It gave her the chance to become better.
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8. Alanis Morissette
When she stepped foot in the music industry, Alanis underwent a lot of pressure which led to anorexia. Her recovery was her top priority. Thus, she went to therapy, started meditation and yoga. It leads her to a balanced and satisfying lifestyle.
9. Lily Collins
Lily Collins starred the film To the Bone, where her character suffered from anorexia. It was like the movie spoke for her when she was battling with anorexia when she was a teenager. The movie showed the public the struggles of eating disorders in young people.
10. Zayn Malik
The world did not know that Zayn was suffering from anorexia until he left One Direction. His struggles were not something he would talk about in public. For his concern, he did not bother about how his appearance or weight. But, he can go for days without having a meal. The hectic schedule of One Direction at its height of popularity led him to low self-care. It took a while for him to recognize it.
11. Victoria Beckham
The iconic singer, fashion designer, and lovable wife of David Beckham suffered from anorexia in the past. She admits that she was obsessed with being thin to be good-looking. Her diet was all vegetables and nothing else, it did not occur to her at first that she’s going through an eating disorder.
12. Jessica Alba
Jessica is one of the most beautiful actresses in the industry. However, anorexia nervosa did not stay away from her. It was reported back then that she struggled with her body image. She wanted to be skinny to be good-looking, it made her alarmingly thin. She did not appreciate her natural fats, she felt weird and not ready.
13. Kesha
Back in 2014, it became controversial when Kesha voluntarily admitted herself into an undisclosed rehabilitation facility for treatment. After the treatment, she revealed her struggles in Elle UK. Kesha came back strong and straightforward about her condition.
There is a major setback with eating disorders, those who suffer are stigmatized. There are countless causes, it may be due to stress, negative body image, low self-esteem, and the like. Eating disorders and other mental health illness should not be ashamed of and it should be discussed.
14. Jade Thirlwall
Jade was known to be one of Little Mix’s singer. She shared that she battled anorexia nervosa at a young age, which resulted in her being hospitalized. What happened to her made her realize the effects of what she was doing to her body.
15. Shawn Johnson
Some might not be familiar with Shawn, but she is an Olympic Gold Medalist gymnast. Back in 2008, she revealed to People that she obsessively restrict carbohydrate intake. Shawn thought that people want her to be thinner, leaner, and lighter. It was a dark past for a strong and powerful athlete. Now, she has recovered and happily married to Andrew East.
The first thing to win this battle is to acknowledge that there is a problem and seek professional help. Yes, it is easy to say but hard to do. There is no easy way, to be honest with the struggles you face.
Due to the stigma, denial, and embarrassment people who suffer from these eating disorders are non-compliant in their treatment plans. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate. However, with the right treatment, 60% of these sufferers will fully recover. Right treatment includes compliance with medical care, mental health care, therapies, and nutritional education. These anorexic celebrities surely underwent the right treatment.
Treatments Anorexic Celebrities Gone Through
Treatment for anorexia nervosa uses collaboration approach, it involves the doctor, dietitian, and mental health professionals. It is important to experience therapy and nutrition education.
- Hospitalization
It may be voluntary or involuntary admission, you still have the right to refuse the treatment. Hospitalization is necessary when your life is in danger.
- Restore Healthy Weight
Doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and family should work as a team for the patient to recover the weight she lost.
- Psychotherapy
Counseling sessions are quite beneficial to those who are suffering from any eating disorders or mental illness. You can go to your trusted psychologist. An hour of deep talks with your psychologist would help you get on working abroad.
There are no medications for anorexia nervosa. However, some doctors prescribe an antidepressant or other medications.
To be better, you have to be compliant as these interventions you can say so. Treatment and diagnosis are important to be able to prevent, detect, and manage the situation.
Anorexic celebrities created awareness and promoted a healthier body image. We hope that you find inspiration with how these anorexic celebrities surpassed their battle with eating disorders. Their struggles would help break stigmas towards mental illness.
Remember, it is never too late. Ask help and professional intervention.
People May Ask about Anorexic Celebrities
Do anorexic celebrities binge?
Yes, there are people who suffer from anorexia that engage in binge eating. When they binge, it is often followed by purging, consuming laxatives, or they will exercise excessively. If you have seen To the Bones starred by Lily Collins (an anorexic celebrity, too), anorexic people binge eat.
What age do eating disorders start?
Most anorexic celebrities report that their eating disorder started during their early teenage years. Well, this is true. Statistics show that people who suffer from anorexia nervosa tend to have an early age of onset. They are usually affected at the age of 16 and 17 and continues to progress as they age older without proper treatment.
How long does it take to recover from anorexia?
With the right and proper treatment, people who struggle with anorexia nervosa can recover in just a year or less than a year. Meanwhile, for some their recovery might take 3 to 7 years on average. However, recovery would vary with each individual. It would take how long it takes.
While you were reading the article, have you thought whether media played a role in making these celebrities develop anorexia? Give us your thoughts in the comment section. Moreover, if you find this article inspiring. Share it to your friends. Tell them, they can win this battle over anorexia.
