It was in the year 1983, 4th of Febuary in Downey, California at exactly 8:51 in the morning when an emergency call came in... A mother saw her daughter naked and half dead on the floor in their wardrobe closet. She was rushed in the hospital and several attempts were made to save her life. Everyone hoped that she would survive. Unfortunately, within an hour her heart stop beating... At the age of 32, she was pronounced dead due to a cardiac arrest caused by certain strains that anorexia nervosa had placed in her heart. The whole world was shoked at the death of the famous 70's singer, Karen Carpenter. This renowned musician, sweet sister and good daughter was suffering from anorexia nervosa for 8 years. This grievous event paved through the way to look deeply into the illness called anorexia nervosa.

Since then, a lot of anorexia nervosa definition were formed. People call it the "stars or starlets disease" since young celebrities, fashion models, and public figures commonly acquire it. Some refer it as a women's disease since most cases involved are females. What exactly is this disease? Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness that is characterized by an individual's fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of their weight and body shape due to psychological reasons. A low blood pressure, weight loss and a slow heart beat are the chief physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa.  The exact causes are not yet known. However, several possible factors are being put into consideration like genetics (passed by parents or relatives who have a history of alcoholic abuse or deperssion), hormones (released when depressed or having mood swings), cultural (wrong environmental influence or family issues) and psychology (owning an excessive negative self-image). This usually occur during adolescence and commonly among women who are goal-oriented and have high self-standards. Only ten percent of cases with anorexia are from men since they are less likely diagnosed with an eating disorder when depressed compared to women. Concerning the severity of the disease, according to an estimate, there are only ten percent cases leading to death. Therefore, there is a 90 percent chance of recovery for those undergoing treatment. One can regain normal body weigth but commonly the disease will return. So if you just recovered from anorexia, your battle has only begun.

Many have fought anorexia. Some have succeeded but unfortunately some have lost. Death is an inevitable event in a human's life... but the decision is still ours whether we want to live or die. We are never the passengers but we're the drivers of our own lives. So live life to the fullest! Don't overdo things. Take everything in moderation for too much of something is always bad. Never dwell on the negative rather stay positive. Be contented of what you have and nurture the gift that was given to you. Learn from this anorexia nervosa definition.