What is the literal translation of anorexia nervosa?
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4 min read
The term *anorexia nervosa* is derived from a blend of ancient Greek and Latin, and its literal translation is “nervous absence of appetite”. This translation is notably misleading, as most individuals with the eating disorder do not truly lose their appetite but actively suppress it. The etymology provides a window into a past misunderstanding of the condition's psychological complexity, which is now understood to be about control and fear, not a simple lack of hunger.
