Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most commonly known and yet least recognized eating disorders. Anorexia is a mental illness, which affects both boys and girls within normal weight ranges who think they are overweight. The early stages of Anorexia are often difficult to detect. A person should know what to look for as far as early symptoms and know what steps to take to help, but the most important thing would be to try to figure out what underlying problems could be responsible for the condition.
             Anorexia begins with feelings of self-confidence and higher self-esteem as the result of a more "attractive" appearance making the person feel as if they are more capable of handling social interaction (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). As the anorexia progresses, his/her preoccupation with staying thin, which he or she believes gave his/her feelings of success, caused his/her to concentrate even more on his/her weight (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). Eventually, the anorexic's body will start to deteriorate, his/her self-esteem will diminish, and he or she will begin to remove themselves from social interaction (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). Communication with his/her family or friends will also be reduced or strained (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13).
             In the beginning stages, a person could notice that the anorexic is exercising excessively or prone to hyperactivity. (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). The anorexic will display unusual eating behaviors, and constantly express the fear of gaining weight, even though they do not. Anorexics are often high achievers. He or she will be one of the teacher's favorites because they never cause any trouble and think their best is never good enough (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). Additionally, they never talk back to their parents, and never fuss (Anorexia, Dying to Be Thin p.1-13). If the anorexic fails, she fears that people won't have anything to do with her. Anorexics se...