What is a key characteristic of anorexia nervosa?

A key characteristic of anorexia nervosa is the presence of a significant disturbance in body image. Individuals with anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight and may perceive themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight or emaciated. This distorted self-image plays a critical role in their eating behaviors and is fundamental to the diagnosis of the disorder.

Understanding that body image disturbance is integral to anorexia begs the consideration of why the other options are less accurate. While anorexia can affect individuals of any gender, it is statistically more common in women than men, making the first option less representative of the condition. Regarding treatment, while anti-depressants might be used in certain cases, they are not considered the primary treatment for anorexia nervosa; instead, therapies that focus on nutritional rehabilitation and psychological support are more effective. Finally, early menorrhagia refers to heavy or irregular menstrual cycles and is not specifically associated with anorexia; rather, individuals suffering from anorexia may experience amenorrhea or the absence of menstruation due to low body weight and related hormonal changes. Thus, the disturbance in body image remains the defining feature of anorexia nervosa.