FREE ESSAY ON EATING DISORDERS

EATING DISORDERS

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