concerns of family and friends. Once the starvation process has advanced beyond a critical point, the disease becomes relentless and tenacious. In turn, the illness itself affects her biology and her environment.
Starvation causes profound physical changes that affect growth, maturation, and emotions. The gradual wasting of the body and associated
behavioral changes cause family members to express concern, perplexity, and anger. Family relationships become strained and difficult.
These distorted styles of interacting often are mistaken for having
caused the problem. More often they are the effect of the illness. Anorexia nervosa is not simply a reaction to cultural pressures and expectations; nor is it caused by family discord.