ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Written By: Zehra Nasirali

For: Mrs. Beaupre

Course: PHS-1WN

Date: 8th May, 1997

 

Introduction

Anorexia Nervosa is a fatal desire to lose weight far beyond the actual fact to be thin.  It occurs mostly in girls between the ages of 11 and 30.  it can result in distortion of the body image leading to desperate hospital treatment.  It is a psychological disorder that begins with a diet; it gives the individual a powerful sense of self-control.  The victims starve themselves in an exaggerated effort to lose weight and gradually they bring themselves closer to death if help is not reached in time.  Basically it is a misconception of the body as fat.

 

WHO GETS THIS EATING DISORDER?

            Anorexia Nervosa most commonly emerges after puberty, when the adolescent is most vulnerable to the perception that to be thin means to be attractive.  They suffer from a basic lack of confidence and self esteem.

            “She may be frightened of her developing sexuality and feel that if she can keep her childish figure, she will not have to face the problems of adult sexuality,” the Marshal Cavendish Encyclopedia of Health states.  Therefore, some emotionally insecure girls diet drastically to increase their sexual confidence and they cling to the idea that extreme thinness is attractive.  Since they consider themselves overweight, they: check their weight three or four times a day, avoid eating when they are hungry and with their excess effort they even avoid attending social gatherings where eating is associated.  They even exercise a lot, beyond they ability until they have drained out all the energy and fat they could possibly have.

            Many teenage anorexics smuggle food away and pretend to eat normally at mealtimes.  They go to great lengths to hide what they are doing, tell lies and become very skilled at doing this.

 

CAUSES:

Sometimes emotions, fears or even states can lead to Anorexia.  It may be the physical or mental state of others that puts you through this pressure.  Some possibilities of the causes are:

1.      Fear of maturing

2.      Parental divorce

3.      Lack of confidence and self esteem

4.      Maternal depression

5.      Fear of weight

6.      Death of a family member

7.      Fear of failure

8.      Parental psychiatric ill-health

9.      Social and peer pressure

10.  Other personal fears and feelings

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

·        The first, most obvious symptom of anorexia is continued loss of weight.  It may not be recognized at first but in the later stages when it becomes sever, it is very evident.

·        Once her weight falls below 26 lbs, she will stop menstruating.

·        They may diet and refuse to eat meals in discreet

·        A distorted body image may form

·        Maximum exercise

·        Depression

·        Amenorrhea

·        Intense fear of gaining weight

·        Dry, roughened skin

·        Bluish tinge in fingernails

·        Weakness

·        Muscle fatigue

·        Heart irregularities

 

TREATMENT

            “Cures seldom take place without treatment because the victim takes pride in her condition.  The more distorted idea she has of herself, the more difficult it is to cure,” The Marshal Cavendish Encyclopedia of Health advises.  Therefore it is important to begin treatment and consultation as soon as possible.  The treatment of Anorexia Nervosa can be a very lengthy and costly process.  Psychiatric counseling is usually part of this treatment.

            “The firs step in treating an anorexic is to increase the body weight, at least above the danger level, because psychotherapy cannot break through the strange mental isolation caused by starvation,” one of the contributors to The Marshall Cavendish Encyclopedia of Health suggests.  It is impossible to treat anorexics at home because of their cunning behaviors; they will do anything to avoid eating.  They may even put weights in their pockets before stepping on a scale.  Therefore, it is better to treat anorexics in the hospital where this sort of deception will not be successful.  So the patients are made to rest in bed where their food intake is strictly monitored.  They may be given tranquilizers in the early ages where they can be fed intravenously.  Until the patient has gained enough weight to be out of danger, psychotherapy can begin.

 

PREVENTION

·        By maintaining a proper weight range

·        By eating healthy and not skipping meals

·        Exercising to a limit

·        Speak aloud your fears and emotions and try to get over it

·        A HEALTHY MIND AND A HEALTHY BODY

 

NOTES AND FACTS

·        Anorexics go through great lengths to hide what they are doing

·        Anorexia is as addictive as alcohol or drugs

·        It commonly appears in teenage girls and over

·        They may alternate periods of strict fasting

·        It is a psychological disorder that in extreme cases results in death

·        Parents of anorexic daughters are usually over protective, over possessive, hysterical, depressed and dominant.

·        Anorexia nervosa has a fatal outcome in about 10% in diagnosed cases

·        Some anorexics become so depressed that they commit suicide

·        Perhaps 15% of anorexics eventually die of starvation OR from infections caused by undernourishment

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

·        Edelstien, Barbara.  The Women Doctors Diet for Teenage Girls.  Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Prentice-Hall, 1980.

·        Rossman, Isadore.  Looking Forward.  New York, E.P. Dutton.

·        “Anorexia” The Marshall Cavendish Encyclopedia of Health.  New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1991.

 

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