FREE ESSAY ON ANOREXIA NERVOSA

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Causes, Symptoms, Complications and Treatments for the eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa.
Eating disorders are devastating behavioral maladies brought on by a complex interplay of
factors, which may include emotional and personality disorder, family pressure, a
possible genetic or biological susceptibility and a culture in which there is an over
abundance of food and an obsession with thinness. Eating disorders are generally
characterized as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and eating disorders not other wise
specified. According to the World of Psychology anorexia is defined as  an eating
disorder characterized by an overwhelming, irrational fear of being fat, compulsive
dieting to the point of self starvation and excessive weight loss.(World of Psychology
Page 317). There are some causes, symptoms, complications and treatment of anorexia
nervosa.
There is no single cause for the eating disorder anorexia but a number of factors
including emotional disorders and cultural influences. Researchers have shown that
emotional disorders such as depression collaborate in causing anorexia nervosa. This is
because most anorexic patients have been found to have abnormal levels of certain
neurotransmitters particularly serotonin, that are associated with depression and
obsessive compulsive disorder. According to a research conducted by Dr. John .E. Godine
of Harvard Medical School  studies are finding that low blood levels of amino acid
tryptophan, a component in food that is essential to the production of serotonin, can
produce depression and may also contribute to anorexia nervosa (Psychology Today Page 17,
May 97). Researches have also shown that changes in seasons affects both depression and
eating disorders and also that onset of anorexia appears to peak in May, which is also a
peak month for suicide. Anxiety disorders are also very common with anorexia. Phobias and
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) usually precede the onset of the eating disorder,
while panic disorder tends to follow. Studies have shown that people with anorexia are
especially prone to obsessive compulsive disorder.
Cultural influences can also cause anorexia as can be seen in most western cultures. The
social pressures of western cultures certainly play a major role in triggering eating
disorders such as anorexia. On the other hand, advertisers heavily market weight
reductions programs and present anorexic young models as the paradigm of sexual
desirability and on the other hand again, the media floods the public with ads for junk
food. According to the World of Psychology over the past quarter century, the 'ideal'
female figure as portrayed in the media and by fashion and entertainment industries, has
become even thinner, often to the point of emancipation(World of Psychology Page 317).
Due to cultural influences in a country where obesity is epidemic, young women who
achieve thinness believe they have accomplished a major cultural and personal victory;
they have overcome the temptations of junk food and at the same time, created an image
idealized by the media. This false sense of accomplishment is often reinforced by the
envy of their heavier friends who may perceive anorexic patients as being stronger and
more sexually attractive than they are. The media definitely plays a major role in the
cause of anorexia. According to the World of Psychology It is difficult to pinpoint the
cause of this disorder. More anorexic individuals are well-behaved and academically
successful(The World of Psychology Page 371). Some investigators even believe that  young
women who refuse to eat are attempting to control a portion of their lives, which they
feel unable to control in most situations(Psychology Today, May 98).
The symptoms of anorexia vary since most women with the disorder keep it a secret but the
major symptom is the change in size. According to an article from WebMd  the primary
symptom of anorexia is major weight loss from excessive and continuos dieting which may
either be restrictive dieting or binge-eating and purging(www.webmd.com). The feet and
hands of the anorexic patient may be cold or swollen sometimes. The stomach is often
distressed after eating and is often bloated. Thinking may be confused or slowed, and an
anorexic patient may have poor memory and judgement. Again all of these symptoms vary
from individuals as could be seen in young women who have diabetes and anorexia. Such
people may have a normal weight or even be overweight but still anorexic. A study
conducted by Harvard medical school psychiatrist Dr. Theodore .A. Stern concluded, the
most bewildering symptom of anorexia is the distorted body image(Psychology Today May
96). In another study people with anorexia tended to have an accurate perception of their
upper body, but over estimated the size of their abdominal and pelvic area.
There are a lot of complications that could arise from anorexia. Studies of anorexic
patients reported death ranging from 4% to 20% (The World of Psychology Page 317).
According to the FDA heart disease is the most common medical cause of death for people
with anorexia. This is because the heart can develop dangerous rhythms, including slow
rhythms known as bradycardia.
Electrolyte imbalances can occur as a result of anorexia. Minerals such as potassium,
Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate are normally dissolved in the body fluid. Calcium and
Potassium are particularly critical in maintaining the electric currents that cause the
heart to beat regularly. The dehydration and starvation of anorexia can reduce fluid
levels and mineral contents, a condition known as electrolyte imbalance, which can be of
very serious and even life threatening, unless the fluids and minerals are replaced.
Reproductive and hormonal abnormalities can occur due to anorexia. Anorexia causes low
levels of reproductive hormones, changes in thyroid hormones, and increases the level of
stress hormones, which causes amenorrhea. According to Psychology Today long term
irregular or absent menstruation is common which eventually may cause sterility and bone
loss. The major scare of anorexia is that it can cause death. According to the e world of
psychology  Unfortunately up to 20% of those suffering from anorexia nervosa eventually
die of starvation or complications from organ damage(The World of Psychology Page 371).
The World of Psychology summarizes the complications that could arise from anorexia and
concludes that  anorexics may also develop low blood pressure, impaired heart function,
dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or sterility(The World of Psychology Page
371). This is in clear similarity to the other researches conducted by psychologists and
shows the complications that could arise from anorexia.
The major difficulty in treating an eating disorder like anorexia is often the resistance
of the anorexic patient, who believes that the emancipation is normal and even
attractive. According to the World of Psychology Anorexia is very difficult to treat.
Most anorexic patients are steadfast in their refusal to eat, while insisting that
nothing is wrong with them(The World of Psychology Page 371). Most moderately to severely
ill anorexic patients should be admitted to the hospital for immediate treatment.
In addition to immediate treatment of any serious medical problem, the goal of the
anorexic patient is to increase weight. To do this therapy could be used until the
anorexic patient succeeds in overcoming this difficult disorder. Anorexic patients who
are severely malnourished should begin with a calorie count as low as 1500 calories a
day, in order to reduce the chances for stomach pain and bloating, fluid retention and
heart failure. The World of Psychology summarizes the treatment of anorexia. According to
Samuel Wood and Ellen Green  the main thrust of treatment, therefore is to get the
anorexic individual to gain weight. The patient may be admitted to a hospital, a few
controlled diets, and given rewards for small weight gains and increase in food intake.
The treatment usually includes some type of psychotherapy and/or a self-help group(The
World of Psychology Page 371). 
Since anorexia nervosa has no real treatment, the only real treatment for now could be
eating healthy, exercising moderately and also doing constant medical checkups
Bibliography
The world of psychology