Someone who is anorexic has an eating disorder that is characterized by the belief that he or she is fat, even when this person is dangerously thin. Women tend to become anorexic more than men, but anyone can develop the disease. Common anorexic symptoms include excessive weight loss, compulsive exercising, a refusal to eat, and an intense desire to be thin. Treatment for anorexia often includes therapy and nutritional counseling. More severe cases may require hospitalization. Some of the health risks with anorexia include an increased chance of heart failure, mild anemia, swollen joints, and (in severe cases) brittle bones that break easily due to calcium loss.