Running head: ANOREXIA

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa Brooke Horsley- 6799647 Sarah Farwell PSYC1020 - Psychology: Basic Processes of Behaviour Conestoga College February 9, 2014

ANOREXIA Abstract The purpose of this essay was to give an in-depth overview of what Anorexia Nervosa is, why anorexia might happen, and what factors may contribute to this disorder; such as biological, psychological, and environmental. This essay also discusses where one might go to seek treatment, and how people may receive different treatment based on the level of severity of the disorder. The research used to gather the information in this essay was from a number of

documented websites, PsychSmart textbook and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).

ANOREXIA Anorexia Nervosa It is human nature to want to look different or wish that we could change something about our appearance. When an obsession with being thin takes over the way we eat, think, and live our lives, an eating disorder could be present. The pressures we face on a daily bases to be thin, and fit are strongly observed everywhere we look. Eating disorders affect men and women of all ages, often crippling their ability to live full lives. Many of these people look up to

celebrities as role models. But celebrities struggle with eating disorders, too, often because of the pressure that comes with constant public scrutiny. Oprah Winfrey, Demi Lovato, Elvis Presley, and Dennis Quaid are just a few of the hundreds of celebrities who have faced eating disorders. February 23 until March 1, 2014 is National Eating Disorder Awareness week. Bring awareness to eating disorders in a local community, and help spread how server these disorders really are (NEDA, 2014). With anorexia nervosa, the craving to lose weight becomes so significant than anything else. People suffering from anorexia often have distortions of how they see themselves. People with anorexia often cant admit that they have an issue, the fact is; anorexia is a severe and perhaps deadly eating disorder. What is Anorexia Nervosa? Abnormal eating behaviours, severe self-induced weight loss, along with one or two more psychiatric disorders is characterized as Anorexia nervosa (Ehrlich S., 2013). A person with anorexia will have a life-threatening fear of gaining weight, which in return causes them to attempt to maintain a very low body weight. People with anorexia believe they are obese, with actually they are tremendously thin, and they tend to have a warped idea of what the ideal body image is. There are two types of anorexia. One being restricting, where weight loss is

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accomplished by controlling the intake of calories by using extreme diets, fasting, and exercising to excess. The seconded being binding or purging. During this form of anorexia weight loss is reached by self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives and diuretics (DSM-5). The University of Maryland Medical Center (2013) says that Anorexia is an emotional disorder, in which a person concentrates on food; some researchers think it is a way to cope with the idea of perfectionism. A person with anorexia will attempt to gain control by severely regulating food, and weight. Most often, a person with anorexia will sense that their positive selfimage is based on how thin they are. Anorexia affects both men and women of any age, but most commonly among females ages 12 to about 40 (Bond, B. 2013). As many as three in 100 teens are affect by anorexia. It is progressively common for young females, especially when the idea of what beauty is, is shaped by the culture, and iinspires women to be thin. Because anorexia fixates on having thin and having a lean body a number of men have been affected by it as well. Mostly those who are athletes, in the military, and are in the public eye all the time (i.e. entertainers or politicians) (Ehrlich S., 2013). Anorexia often is not about counting calories, or how much we weigh. It is more about having to control something or being in control of thing. A person with anorexia need to control their intake of food, and weight typically comes from symptoms that are much deeper such as depression, insecurity, pressures to be perfect, or the feeling that something in their live is out of control. Its important to understand that anorexia meets a need in your life. For example, you may feel powerless in many parts of your life, but you can control what you eat. Saying no to food, getting the best of hunger, and controlling the number on the scale may

ANOREXIA make you feel strong and successfulat least for a short while. You may even come to

enjoy your hunger pangs as reminders of a special talent that most people cant achieve (Smith, M. & Segal J., 2014). Why does Anorexia happen? There isnt an exact reason why anorexia happens, but experts say there are many influences that can work together and may lead to the disorder. Anorexia normally will not appear before puberty, but if it does, it is normally linked with mental illnesses, like depression and obsessive-compulsive behavior (O.C.D). Anorexia is a life-threatening disorder that can cause in heart failure, electrolyte imbalance, or worse death. Anorexia is caused typically by a traumatic event and which is go together with other emotional problems. Some might say that anorexia is a chronic disease that can last for a lifetime (Ehrlich S., 2013). Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2012) states that as with many diseases, anorexia is caused by a combination of factors such as, biological, psychological, and environmental. Biological Although we cant be sure how our genes could cause anorexia, but it said that there could be genetic changes that can make some people more susceptible to developing anorexia. Some people genetically tend to be more of a perfectionist, or have more sensitivities, and determination, which are some traits that are strongly linked with anorexia (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). University of Maryland Medical Center (2013) explains that anorexia is could also be associated with irregularities in brain chemistry. Serotonin, a brain chemical, that is present when someone is depressed, might also play a part. Another biological role that could play a part in

ANOREXIA anorexia is family history. It is said that about one fifth of people with anorexia have had a family history with eating disorders. Psychological Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2013) also states that there may be some emotional characteristics could play a role in anorexia. People who present obsessivecompulsive personality traits tend to have an easier time sticking with stern diets and find it easier on themselves to go without food regardless of being hungry. A person with anorexia might also have a tendency to want to be a perfectionist, they could also have a fear of being

teased or embarrassed. They always want to be seen as being good, and have believe that being seen as perfect is needed in order to be loved (Ehrlich S., 2013). Environmental We live in a culture and environment where media focuses on thinness or having a lean body. We see it every day. The magazines we read, the actors we watch, and everywhere we look we are bombarded with the images of thin, beautiful people. We learn to associate success and self-worth with being thin, and beautiful. People with anorexia might find that their friends, family, and other peer pressures could aid in their cravings to be thin (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Effects of Anorexia Helpguide.org (2014) explains that when a person restricts their body of the daily calories it needs bound to face physical effects. When a persons body is denied the daily fuel it needs to function properly our body will start to conserve energy, and the body will begin to slowly eat its self. Continual starve to ones self, will result in more body fat being lost. They will begin to have medical issues such as depression, tooth decay, gum disease, constipation and worse they ultimately pay the price, death. Some not so serious physical effects of anorexia are; mood

ANOREXIA swings, lack of energy and weakness, slowed thinking, poor memory, dizziness, fainting, and headaches.

This figure below from Helpguide.org (2014) shows the different affects anorexia has on the entire body.

Treatments A person with anorexia should be aggressively involved in their treatment. An effective form of treatment is a balance between psychotherapy, family therapy, and medication. Many of the time people with anorexia do not believe they need treatment, and do not believe they have an issue. The battle with anorexia is long-term, and could last lifetime. Stressful times in his or her live can make someone more at risk to relapse. Treatment can offer a person with anorexia

ANOREXIA the medical and mental support they need. An effective treatment for anorexia is a mixture of cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants and for nutritional deficiencies to be treated a form of alternative therapies help. When someone with anorexia puts his or her life in danger, hospitalization is normally required. Especially if the person, in spite of outpatient treatment, is continuing trying to lose weight, if their body mass index (BMI) is below 30% normal (normal BMI range is between 19 and 24), if someone is suffering from suicidal thoughts, they have low blood pressure, or potassium,, and if their heart beat becomes irregular. Relapse is very high for a person with anorexia, even once the person has gained weight, the person will try to remain thin. There are a few social factors that might make it difficult for a person to reframe from relapsing. These social factors could include; people who approve of how thin the person is/was and pressures from people who think that having a very lean body is important. It could also be that a family member or friend is in denial of the issue, or just that the person them self believes that being overly thin is the social norm, and what defines someones beauty (Ehrlich S., 2013).

ANOREXIA References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Bond B. (2013) PsychSmart, Canadian Edition, McGraw-Hill Ryerson limited, United States of America Ehrlich S. (2013) Anorexia nervosa, University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/anorexia-nervosa#ixzz2sTsye4Mz Retrieved Feb 5, 2014 National Eating Disorders Association (2013) http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ Retrieved on Feb 5, 2014 Mayo Clinic Staff (2012) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/anorexia/basics/definition/con-20033002, Retrieved on Feb 5, 2014 Smith, M. & Segal J. (2014) Helpguide.org Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.html Retrieved on Feb 8, 2014