Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa refers to an abnormal eating habit generally characterized by food restriction and low weight, as well as the desire to be slim, and the fear of adding weight. People from all races, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations can experience this eating disorder. Individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa usually suffer from exceedingly low body mass compared to their body type and height, during which the victims believe that they appear heavier than usual. Although the condition mostly begins in the adolescence stage of human life, the number of older adults and children diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa has considerably increased due to the modern lifestyle.
Anorexia Nervosa occurs in two distinct forms, binge and restrictive types. Despite being classified into two different categories, their symptomatic characteristics are similar. Some of the symptoms include abnormal eating patterns and an illogical fear towards weight gain. The cause of Anorexia Nervosa is associated with environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and personality traits. Since Anorexia Nervosa is a threat to human health, educating people on its causes, signs, and treatment can create awareness, reduce the risk, and decrease the number of cases diagnosed globally.
Literature Review
Sir William Gull discovered Anorexia Nervosa in 1873 and suggested that religious belief, such as fasting, marked the beginning of this condition. In addition, Gull discovered that religious practices, such as self-starvation, by young women as a sign of purity and piety, contributed greatly to Anorexia Nervosa (Wozniak, Rekleite, & Roupa, 2012). Although, the first medication was introduced, it was not until the 19th century that all medical professionals worldwide accepted the medication.
Both psychopathology and cognitive behavioral theories have been proposed to explain various features of Anorexia Nervosa. Interpersonal relationship, body perception, and emotion processing are the main theoretical features of this condition, according to Bruch (Treasure & Cardi, 2017). This argument formed the basis for the development of Bruch psychopathology theory, in which she realized that most psychological issues occur due to starvation. Another proposed theory is the cognitive behavioral theory that represents the creation and expansion of existing accounts (Fairburn, Shafran, & Cooper, 1999). Hence, the theories suggest that people who suffer from Anorexia develop irrational perceptions and psychological issues about their body shape; thus, they avoid food to reduce weight.
Exposure to media technology influences individuals by constant presentation of body ideals. The body figure for women and men as reported by the media favors V-shaped muscular men and slim women. Media portrayals may not be true, which may lead to body dissatisfaction and poor health to both men and women who may end up developing Anorexia (Treasure & Cardi, 2017). Global reports reveal that in a year, Anorexia affects more women than men; therefore, the number of women can be ten times that of men on a yearly basis, and in most developing countries, such statistics may not be available. Overall, people who suffer from Anorexia may show a wide range of signs and symptoms associated with the illness.
The symptomatic characteristics of Anorexia includes, weight loss due to starvation. This may lead to malnutrition that cause body system complications such as hypokalemia condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the body (Treasure & Cardi, 2017). Individuals who suffer from binge type will frequently purge after meals, alleviating the fear over weight gain. Besides, they can force vomiting, use abusive laxatives, and indulge in excessive exercising. Individuals suffering from restrictive Anorexia are highly disciplined and are strict on quantities of food intake, high fat content, and calories thus consume less calories (Young et al., 2011). This is a self-starvation condition since the amount of calories required for the normal maintenance of body system is not consumed.
Studies have revealed that Anorexia Nervosa is caused by both genetic and environmental factors, in which hereditary features in human body initiate the illness while environmental factors intensify the impact of this eating disorder. Environmental issues that contribute to Anorexia Nervosa include the slimness culture, careers and professions, peer pressure in childhood, and family traumas. According to Young et al. (2011), developmental challenges such as adolescence and puberty may also contribute to the development of Anorexia Nervosa due to poor feeding and ritual practices among communities. Constant demands from various cultural beliefs especially when people are expected to be thin, may encourage bullying and teasing, which may cause low self esteem, leading to the development of Anorexia Nervosa. Such communities therefore, are advised to allow diversity in their cultural practices to avoid the disorder.
The main biological factor causing eating disorder includes irregular hormonal balance and genetics. Various association studies have revealed that human genes contribute to personality traits, motivation and eating behavior (American Psychiatric Association., & American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Clinical researchers suggest that DNA, and other epigenetic modifications may lead to maintenance or development of Anorexia nervosa. Therefore being a genetical condition, it can be passed from one generation to another.
The process of assessing body weight fitness of a person suffering from this disorder involves application of a Body Mass Index tool used by treatment professionals. In addition, observing peoples eating patterns, personality traits, and exercise may also provide signs of Anorexia Nervosa. Some cases of the disorder are suspected and reported by friends and family members while for younger patients, observations may be noticed in schools and other learning institutions. When such observations are concealed, they may lead to complications such as infertility, depression, amenorrhea, and obsessive behavior (Cusido, 2019). People struggling with this disorder are afraid of having distorted body figure caused by progressive gain in body weight.
The cause of Anorexia Nervosa is associated with environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and personality traits.Anorexia can have severe repercussions to an individual, family members, and entire community if the issue is not addressed at the right time. Specific complications affect different groups depending on their age and gender categories. Young people suffering from eating disorder may experience complications such as loss or weight gain, growth retardation, and chronic malnutrition. Effective early treatment measures can help solve these complications and restore their normal health. To female patients, Anorexia causes change in the reproductive system, thus altering the menstruation cycle of an individual (Gropper, Smith & Groff, 2009). Weight loss and psychological stress may develop in women suffering from this disorder, creating more complications, such as gastrointestinal and cardiac disorders. Cardiac complication leads to poor blood circulation, fatigue, and inability to sustain body exercise. This condition can affect both male and female individuals in the community regardless of age, gender or race.
Treatment
People suffering from Anorexia are advised to seek early medical treatment and intervention that focuses on three distinct areas, which include restoring the patient health, treating the disorder, and eliminating the initial behavior. The main role of seeking medical treatment is to restore the patient weight, while monitoring their behavior change. Previous studies outlines that for individuals in the adolescence stage, family based remedy works best (Cusido, 2019). Both short-term and long-term therapies are applied in the treatment process. For instance, short-term remedies include cognitive behavior mechanisms that are ineffective while long-term therapies involve motivational enhancement mechanisms. However, treating people with Anorexia Nervosa is challenging since people fear adding weight, explaining why treatment providers encourage desire towards initial mind change. Although most studies have confirmed that no efficient medication is available for the treatment of anorexia, I believe that counseling sessions should be included in every stage during treatment to influence patients’ perception about Anorexia Nervosa.
Personal Reflection
This research reveals that re-feeding is not only dangerous to those suffering from the eating disorder but to everyone in the community. People should observe good eating habits to remain healthy, and avoid the severity of this condition. Anorexia being more of a biologically triggered ill health condition overcoming it requires specialized treatment. Most patients lack control over this condition hence it becomes necessary to seek medical professionals to facilitate healing, support, and recovery processes.
Conclusion
With the current global changes, cases of Anorexia have become more diverse since they affect both old adults and young children unlike in the past where the condition began in the adolescence stage. Like any other illness, this condition continues to claim peoples’ lives especially in underdeveloped countries with cases of famine. Anorexia patients in these countries and the entire world in general are advised to seek early medical care during initial stage of this condition. Family members and medical specialist are advised to form support groups that provide emotional and physical support to such patients. This will help patients to restore their initial state of mind as it eliminate fear, anger, distress, guilt, and resentment during recovery process. Therefore,Anorexia Nervosa is both preventable and curable condition only if it is handled at the right time.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Cusido, C. (2018). Coping with Eating Disorders. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Fairburn, C. G., Shafran, R., & Cooper, Z. (1999). A cognitive behavioural theory of Anorexia nervosa. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37 (1), 1-13. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(98)00102-8
Gropper, S. A. S., Smith, J. L., & Groff, J. L. (2009). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Australia: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Treasure, J., & Cardi, V. (2017). Anorexia Nervosa, theory and treatment: Where are we 35 years on from Hilde Bruch’s Foundation Lecture? European Eating Disorders Review, 139-147.doi:10.1002/erv.2511
Wozniak, G., Rekleite, M., & Roupa, Z. (2012). Contribution of social and family factors in Anorexia nervosa. Health Science, 6 (2), 1-13. Retrieved from. http://hdl.handle.net/11400/1346
Young, W. F., Netter, F. H., Machado, C. A. G., Perkins, J. A., Craig, J. A., & Marzejon, K. W. (2011). The netter collection of medical illustrations – endocrine system, (2nd ed., Vol. 2). Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier.
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