not recognize the serious medical implic ations of their malnourished state. 
Often, the individual is brought to professional attention by family members after marked
weight loss (or failure to make expected weight gains) has occurred. If individuals seek help
on their own, it is usually because of dist ress over the somatic and psychological sequelae
of starvation. It is rare for an individual with anorexia nervosa to complain of weight loss
per se. In fact, individuals with anorexia nervos a frequently either lack insight into or deny
the problem. It is therefore often important to obtain information from family members or
other sources to evaluate the history of weight loss and other features of the illness.