anorexianervosa

anorexia ner·vo·sa (nûr-vōʹsə) n.

A psychophysiological disorder usually occurring in young women that is characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, a distorted self-image, a persistent unwillingness to eat, and severe weight loss. It is often accompanied by self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, malnutrition, amenorrhea, and other physiological changes.

  [New Latin anorexia nervōsa: anorexia, anorexia + nervōsa, feminine of nervōsus, nervous.]

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