n.1. chronic and severe undernourishment. Common physical effects of starvation include general weakness or asthenia, hunger pangs, sluggishness, and susceptibility to disease. Psychological effects include slowed thought processes, difficulty concentrating, apathy, irritability, reduced sexual desire, and loss of concern for appearance. Psychotic reactions seldom occur except when starvation is accompanied by infection or extreme stress. 2. severe deficiency of any vital resource, as in the oxygen starvation that may occur from exposure to low atmospheric pressure (see air-pressure effects).