Anorexia
can be termed as an eating disorder, self-starvation that can result in loss of
body weight below the normal. It is one of the eating disorders which has the
highest levels of physical and psychological comorbidity and mortality. It is
caused by a complex interaction of factors that are genetic, biological,
behavioural, psychological and social in nature. This disease can be
accompanied with hypersensitivity and hyperthermia. It mainly affects females. Currently,
people have become obsessively anxious to maintain or reduce their body weight
via rigid control of their calorie intake (Steiner & Lock, 1998).
There
is preoccupation of the body weight and also the food. It controls the
varieties and the amount of food one eats. Alternatively, their health is at
risk especially with continual need to lose weight even when they are so thin
and their distorted perception of how they look. Biological, psychological and
sociological factors influence the development of this eating disorder. The
issues of personal control that exist between child and parent, the reluctance
to mature physically and emotionally contribute to anorexia (Bulik, 2001). Poor
body image and low self–esteem can result in an eating disorder. In some
instances, a life crisis such as change of relationships or childbirth can
contribute too.
The
intense fear to gain weight has made them lose the ability to take the normal diet.
Media and the fashion industry have been attributed to play a part in anorexia
disease. Thus, they feel that their value of being appreciated and liked lies
on their body shape and weight. Their emotional needs are often not met in
their lives and this has been attributed to unstable family backgrounds and
trouble making friends. Most of the victims die due to direct physical impacts
of the weight loss or through suicide. Due to low body weight certain serious
medical problems can be caused. Such problems include low blood pressure, poor
circulation, dehydration, kidney damage, increased facial hair, low body
temperature and brittle bones (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope, & Kessler,2007).The
body is denied the essential nutrients required for the normal body functioning.
The
nutritional management of persons with anorexia forms a fundamental part of the
solution. The victim should be encouraged to seek professional help especially
when the physical condition has been checked. It is fundamental to grant them
love and support. For instance, meal times should not be a battle field where
emotions such as frustration and anger are expressed. Having discussions
concerning food intake or weight encourages the victim to utilize this eating
disorder as a tool to manipulate other persons. Adequate nutrition, reduction
of excessive exercise and stoppage of purging behaviours form the basis of the treatment
of anorexia (Steinhausen, 2008). Talk therapy and medication forms the
effective and efficient means of treating this eating disorder. The treatment
plans are normally tailored to the individual needs and may encompass the
following: individual, group psychotherapy, medical care and monitoring,
nutritional counselling and medications. Communication is very paramount; have
time to talk about food and other life-related subjects. Prompt intensive treatment
fundamentally will improve the chances of recovery with persons with anorexia (Reijonen,
Pratt, Patel & Greydanus, 2003). The use of medications such as mood
stabilizers and antidepressants can treat patients suffering from anorexia.
Anorexia in the USA
According to the American Psychiatric
Association, about 90-95% of the victims of anorexia are women and girls. Excessive pre occupation with self-identity is
a vital factor in the proliferation of anorexia. When compared with other
mental health conditions, it has one of the highest death rates. It appears in
early to mid- adolescence. Dieting as a normalized behaviour poses a risk
factor for the development of anorexia. Some young individuals can be
influenced to feel bad in regards to their bodies thus engaging in unhealthy
dieting behaviours. Due to cultural misunderstanding of the anorexia and
idealization of thinness, the victims are not able to assess the gravity of
their disease (Steiner & Lock, 1998). As a result they are unable to seek
advice and assistance from close family members, friends or clinicians.
Alternatively, serious mental and physical health impacts including death can
be witnessed among the patients (American Psychiatric Association, 2005).
Treatment
of anorexia in the US includes therapy and medical monitoring. Upon complete
remission, the patients can contribute as important members in the society (Le
Grange Agras, Dare2001). Expert, skilled and clinical practitioners are
fundamental when diagnosing, treating and supporting the anorexia recovery
process. The treatment ensured that the patients were restored to their
previous healthy weights and the psychological issues related to anorexia
treated too. Behaviours or thoughts that could lead to insufficient eating or cause
a relapse were reduced or eliminated (National Institute for Clinical
Excellence (NICE), 2004).
References
American Psychiatric Association (APA), (2005).Let’s Talk Facts
About Eating Disorders. Retrieved on 17th
May 2013 at
Bulik, C.M, (2001). Eating disorders in
adolescents and young adults. . Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 11: p.201-18
James I. Hudson, Eva Hiripi, Jr.,
Harrison G. Pope, & Ronald C. Kessler. (2007). "The Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in the
National Comorbidity Survey Replication," Biological
Psychiatry, 348-358.
Lock J,
Le Grange D, Agras, W.S, Dare C. (2001).Treatment Manual for Anorexia Nervosa:
A Family-based Approach. New York: Guilford Press.
National Institute for Clinical
Excellence (NICE). (2004).Core interventions in the treatment and Management of anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. London: British Psychological Society.
Reijonen, J.H, Pratt, H.D, Patel, D.R
& Greydanus, D.E (2003). Eating disorders in the adolescent population: an overview. Journal of Adolescent
Res, 18(3): p.209-222
Steiner H, Lock J. (1998). Anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa in children and adolescents: a review of the past ten years.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescents Psychiatry, 37:352-359
Steinhausen, H. C. (2008). Outcomes of
eating disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 18: 225-242
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