“Hi Doctor…. Can I come in?” asked a worried Neethu sticking her head inside the OPD of Dr. Gouri.
“Yes… You may… Please have a seat.” Said the Doctor.
“I am afraid of the current scenarios that are taking place. Did you see in the news report from Kerala?” asked a worried Neethu.
“Here, have this glass of water. Please calm down first and tell me the whole issue that is troubling you.”
A panicked Neethu continued. “An 18-year-old girl from Kannur, Kerala, tragically passed away due to complications arising from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder. Reports said that she had been subsisting almost exclusively on water for approximately six months, leading to severe malnutrition. At the time of her hospitalization at her weight was merely 24 kilograms and was placed on ventilator support but unfortunately did not survive. She was reportedly been following extreme weight-loss diets by referring online platforms, which contributed to her condition. Despite medical advice to seek psychiatric help, and to have food, she ignored them all and continued taking the same diets.”
“So why are you getting afraid?” asked the Doctor.
“Doctor, I am also taking diets as per the results that I get from Google search. I don’t have a personal diet manager or a trainer. I work out according to my wish and take the diets that are advised by the google. After hearing the news, I am very much afraid. I don’t want to die Doctor” cried Neethu.
“ Relax Neethu.. We will assess your condition first.” Said Dr. Gouri. “ We will start with your eating habits and dieting patterns. Do you avoid certain foods or food groups because you are afraid they will make you gain weight?”
“Yes… yes… I often avoid all the outings that my friends invite me to. I am afraid that if I go with them, I will start to eat Junk foods and will turn fat and loose my beauty. I have recently reduced the amount of food too. Earlier I used to eat atleast 3-4 rotis for breakfast, which I have reduced to ½ or 1. But I have included lot of protein shakes as my lunch and I often try to go for sleep without having any dinner. At first it was tough. But now, I don’t feel hunger at all. I have also started to loose weight. From 54 kg, I came down to 46 kg within 2 weeks. I don’t know whether I should be happy or sad with all these.”
“Now we will assess your psychological status. Do you see yourself as overweight, even when others say you are too thin? How often do you think about your weight or body shape?” asked the Doctor.
“I feel extremely anxious or guilty after eating even a small quantity of food. I see myself as overweight even if I am only 46 kg. I stand on the weighing machine every morning ad night to make sure that my weight remains stable. Even if there is an increase of 0.5 kg, I get tensed easily.” Said Neethu.
“Now that we have assessed your psychological status, we will assess your other factors.” Continued the Doctor. “Do you experience dizziness, fatigue, or weakness? Have you lost your period or noticed hormonal imbalances?”.
“Yes Doctor, I have missed my periods since few months. Even if it comes, it just lasts for 2 days. Earlier, when I used to eat healthy diets, I used to have periods at an interval of 28-30 days and a duration of 4-5 days. I have destroyed my body. Nobody else did.” Said Neethu and tears started flowing down her eyes.
“ Don’t cry Neethu. We can find solution for everything. Let me ask you something. Do you feel cold even when others feel warm? Do you engage in excessive exercise even when you are tired or injured ?” asked Dr. Gouri.
“Yes Doctor….I never put fan even during Summer. I also push myself to do the exercises for hours together. Though I get tired easily, I continue doing it.” Said Neethu.
Dr. Gouri had a concerned look in her eyes. She started to say “ You should hear very peacefully. Neethu, I think you have Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a serious health condition that can result in severe malnutrition and has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders. Early recognition and comprehensive treatment, including medical and psychological support, are crucial for recovery. This incident that took place at Kerala, highlights the dangers of unsupervised diets and the influence of unverified online content on health behaviors. It underscores the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before undertaking significant dietary changes and raises awareness about the critical need for early intervention in eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa is a condition where a person severely restricts their food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. It’s good that you have come in at an early stage because early intervention makes recovery much easier. Right now, you are not engaging in behaviors like vomiting out the food forcefully after eating, which means the condition has not progressed to a more severe stage. However, continued restriction of food can lead to serious health problems, including weakness, hormonal imbalances, and even complications with your heart and bones. The good news is that treatment is available, and many people recover fully with the right approach. In addition to modern medical treatments, Ayurveda offers a holistic way to restore your health by balancing digestion and improving mental well-being. Herbal formulations such as Ashwagandha and Brahmi can help reduce stress and anxiety, while Ayurvedic dietary guidelines focus on easily digestible, nourishing foods like warm soups and herbal ghee preparations to strengthen your digestive fire (Agni). Panchakarma therapies, such as mild oleation and Shirodhara, may also help in calming the mind and improving appetite. While proper nutrition is essential, relying too much on protein shakes is not advisable, as excessive consumption can strain the kidneys, cause digestive issues, and lead to imbalances in your diet. Whole, natural foods provide better nourishment and are easier for your body to absorb compared to artificial supplements. We will focus on a balanced diet that includes natural sources of protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients to support your recovery. We use a combination of nutritional counseling, therapy, and sometimes medication if needed. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help change negative thought patterns about food and body image. You will also work with a dietitian to develop a balanced meal plan so that your body gets the nourishment it needs. Support from family and friends is crucial, and we will guide you through this journey step by step. The sooner we address this, the better your chances of a full recovery, so you are already taking the right step by seeking help.”
Neethu wiped the tears off. She said “Doctor, I can’t tell you how relieved I feel after talking to you. I was so scared and confused, but now I know that there’s hope and a clear path to recovery. Thank you so much for explaining everything so patiently and for giving me confidence that I can heal with the right approach. I truly appreciate your support. This means a lot to me, and I am really grateful for your guidance.
