Anorexia Nervosa
Many people suffer from the condition known as anorexia nervosa. Often the
victims go through a number of symptoms that can lead to a serious amount of
problems concerning a person’s weight, happiness, and personality. People should
keep a close eye out for anyone who shows signs of certain symptoms that become
present later on in the future. What is Anorexia Nervosa? In medicine, Anorexia
Nervosa is a condition characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight or
becoming obese, along with a distorted body image, which leads to excessive
weight loss from restricting food intake and exercising excessively. It is
essentially self-starvation leading to a loss of body weight 15% below normal,
accompanied with hyperactivity, hypothermia, and amenorrhea. Between 5 and 18
percent of known anorexia nervosa victims die of starvation, and the condition
may also lead to abnormalities in the menstrual cycle and increased
susceptibility to infection. (Bruch, 53) Anorexia is an illness of several
causes. The weight loss that triggers the illness is often the result of either
a normal diet (the sort that is typical of many normal adolescent girls) or
unhappiness or illness. The personalities of those with the illness tend to be
conformist, compliant, and hard working. These traits are usually accentuated by
the disorder. The families of anorexics are mainly high achieving with high
expectations of their children. They often seem to discourage individual growth
and encourage conformity. There is frequently a failure to express emotional
issues. There are often a lot of pressures such as exams when the illness starts
and stresses arising from difficulties in relationships with friends are also
common. (Claude-Pierre, 102) How does it develop? Perfectionist parents drive
their children to be the best and the brightest. These parents fixate on order,
prestige, power and/or perfect appearances. Depriving parents withhold attention
and encouragement from their children.
They love conditionally, giving affection
when a child pleases them and withdrawing it when displeased. What are some
signs? Anorexia may not be noticed in the early stages because it often starts
as an innocent diet. In the later and more dangerous stages, family members may
not notice the disease because the anorexic usually wears layered and baggy
clothes (Costin, 138). However, there are many warning signs that a person is
developing anorexia. An obsession with diet and exercise are two early signs
that a person is becoming anorexic. This can include difficulty eating in public
places or in front of others, secrecy about eating patterns and food intake, and
excessive exercise despite visible weight loss. A pre- occupation with weight
and body image develops, and the anorexic will frequently check their weight on
a scale or examine their body in a mirror. Other warning signs include disturbed
sleep, hyperactivity, irritability, social withdrawal, depression, sensitivity
to cold temperature, and fainting spells. (Claude-Pierre, 202) What problems
arise from it? The human body copes with periods of semi-starvation and weight
loss fairly well. However, rapid weight loss, the use of vomiting or laxatives
to promote weight loss, and the loss of more than 35% of normal body weight are
all associated with danger. Prolonged weight loss during adolescence may
eventually lead to permanent failure of normal growth and an increased risk of
osteoporosis in later life. In extreme cases anorexia can lead to cardiac arrest
and death, and it is estimated that up to 10% of known anorexics die from
complications due to the illness. (Bruch, 147) Other physical problems
associated with anorexia are dehydration, stomach pain, constipation, dry skin,
decreased heart and metabolic rates, lowered body temperature, dizziness,
fatigue, sleeping problems, headaches, cold hands and feet, and abnormalities of
the menstruation cycle. (Costin, 167) What kinds of treatment are there? No
generally recognized treatment or therapy for anorexia nervosa exists. Regaining
normal weight with a normal eating pattern is the first step of treatment and
when the illness is severe this may require admission to hospital.
Psychotherapy, regular medical monitoring, and nutritional guidance should be
part of any treatment program for anorexia. The goals are to restore weight to
correct the effects of malnutrition, to control abnormal eating behavior and to
prevent recurrence by addressing the associated psychological and family issues.
Close cooperation among all medical, nutritional and psychological health
professionals involved is important.
