There are many things in life that we need to survive. Many of us are familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The first step in life that we need to reach the top of the hierarchy is psychological needs. This includes food, water and other items. Usually, the first need that comes to people's minds is food. Food is needed every day for survival. When we think about food we usually tend to be happy. Eating can mean spending time with family and friends. But there are those where food means unhappy moments. Food, something that is supposed to make people happy, can actually also bring others down. The word “food” can disgust people. Even the thought of it makes them feel terrible. Imagine looking in the mirror and not feeling happy about yourself. You are considered thin by others, but when you look in the mirror all you see is the "overweight" you. This is the life of someone who suffers from anorexia nervosa. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Anorexia nervosa is a common eating disorder that many adolescents develop. Most cases are found in females. It is also considered life-threatening due to severe weight loss. Severe weight loss is caused by the type of diet those affected follow. During the teenage years the brain is still undergoing cognitive development. Those who develop the disorder anorexia nervosa suffer from body image and low self-esteem. This is why they become obsessed with weight loss and develop a fear of gaining weight. As mentioned, anorexia nervosa has many signs and symptoms. One of the main signs that can lead to the diagnosis of disorders is extreme weight loss. This includes losing more than fifteen pounds in two to three months. If parents have no idea what to look for, observing the way their child eats can give us big clues. Those with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, develop poor eating habits. They eat very little or tend to start strange diets. They drastically reduce the amount of food they consume. Their physical appearance is also another sign. They develop the thought that they are heavier than they actually are. People with body image issues tend to want to hide their body type. Then they start wearing loose clothing. Women who suffer from anorexia nervosa also begin to miss their periods. Missing your period indicates a hormonal imbalance, or in this case, serious medical conditions. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder. Therefore, anorexia nervosa along with other eating habits are treated by psychiatrists. Treatment for each patient must be determined individually by the medical team. One type of treatment that has proven effective has been family-based therapy. Those with anorexia nervosa tend to feel isolated from everything or their parents are the only source they feel comfortable with that can help them. Parents will be the source that will help promote weight gain at home and will also help normalize nutrition little by little. With sudden weight loss in anorexia nervosa, muscle strength is an important focus for the treatment plan. People with this eating disorder do not consume enough protein, vitamin D/calcium, and do not maintain their acid-base balance. Lack of the right nutrients and sudden weight loss lead to muscle weakness which can then turn into osteoporosis. Anorexia affects up to eighty percent of patients and has even been known to lead to the death of up to twenty.