Mental Health Awareness - Anorexia Nervosa - My Story - Part 1

This is my story about anorexia nervosa in my teenage years and my journey to health with the help of my parents that I' d like to share for May, Mental Health Awareness Month, 2021.
The message, as NAMI recommends, is "You Are Not Alone".
According to NIMH statistics, the prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN) currently is not as common as other eating disorders (bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder), but it can be very serious. I think the prevalence of AN has declined since I was a teenager.
In adolescence sometimes stress, the pressure to excel in school and fit in the circle of peers may manifest as an eating disorder, given the predisposing genetics and environment.
In Part I I share my story and in another video I will outline the neurobiological causes and treatments.
Hopefully this will raise awareness, prevention and timely management of anorexia nervosa, which is more prevalent in females.

[@F--91W]

Thank you for sharing your story. I actually have a little sister who is 14, and I believe is suffering from an eating disorder. She has lost a fair bit of weight and appears to be underweight for her age group.
In her most recent blood result, she showed a low amount of iron, which I noticed you mentioned can be a hallmark for loss of appetite, through iron deficiency anemia.
Hopefully we can help her. Thank you again.

[@genoveva.p.uzunova]

You're welcome! Sorry to hear about your little sister. If you persist in encouraging her to eat more, she will improve! It takes time and patience. Most important is encouragement that she is perfect just as she is and there is no need to lose weight! It would be good if she sees a physician, too. Wishing your sister to get better soon!☘⚘