FREE ESSAY ON ANOREXIA NERVOSA

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Amy 
April 16, 1999
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is an eating disorder that usually strikes women between the ages of fifteen and
thirty-five. An estimated one thousand females will die each year from anorexia. About
eighty percent of females suffer from a sub clinical eating disorder and twenty percent
will turn into full-blown anorexics in their lifetime. These are statistics that we know
of. Anorexia can be hidden very well by many that suffer from it; therefore there are
many cases we do not know of. Anorexia is a disorder in which preoccupation with dieting
and thinness leads to excessive weight loss. The individual may not realize that weight
loss or restricted eating is a problem. (Internet Mental Health www.mentalhealth.com). 
Anorexia may not be noticed in the early stages because it often starts as an innocent
diet. They often become hyperactive because they exercise frantically in an attempt to
burn calories to lose weight. Even though the anorexic is emaciated, she still feels
"fat" and wants to hide her "ugly, fat body". A victim does not need to appear
underweight or even average to suffer any signs or symptoms of anorexia. Many men and
women with eating disorders appear not to be underweight, but this does not mean they
suffer any less or are in any less danger. This is why in later and more dangerous
stages; family members may not notice the disease because the anorexic usually wears
layered and baggy clothes. (www.somethingfishy.com). 
Presence of a low self-esteem is the most common element in anorexia nervosa. Stress,
anxiety and unhappiness can also be leading factors in an anorexic life. Anorexia is
their way of dealing and coping with the negative things going on in their life. Most
people with eating disorders share certain personality traits, low self-esteem, feelings
of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat. People with Anorexia tend to be "too good to
be true." They rarely disobey, keep their feelings to themselves, and tend to be
perfectionists, good students, and excellent athletes. Some researchers believe that
people with anorexia restrict food, particularly carbohydrates, to gain a sense of
control in some area of their lives. They have followed the wishes of others in their
lives, and they have not learned how to cope with the problems typical of adolescence,
growing up, and becoming independent. Controlling their own weight offers two advantages
in their eyes; first they can take control of their bodies and secondly, gain approval of
others. Eventually they become out of control, becoming dangerously thin. (Microsoft?
Encarta 98 Encyclopedia).
Victims suffering with Anorexia get a sense of power out of their eating disorder. It is
not uncommon to find an anorexic that feels high after periods of starvation. This is due
to their feelings of inadequacy. Their poor self image and perception leads to feelings
of guilt, they feel like they never do anything right and nothing they ever do is enough.
Starvation is an accomplishment in their eyes, something they can do right. They also
feel that their life would be better if they could lose weight, or that more people would
like them if they lost weight.
Anorexics feel a need to control physical and emotional surroundings. In this way eating
disorders are a negative coping mechanism, used to control emotions or to keep them
suppressed. It feels easier to think about food, food intake, hunger, planning meals or
avoiding them, instead of dealing with their emotions. Eating disorders can have a
numbing effect, and can give victims a feeling of power over their emotions. (Mind &
Body- Signs and symptoms- Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders) 
Another major reason why women develop anorexia nervosa is societal pressures. In our
society today there is an obsession with being thin in order to be beautiful. The waif
look was recently popular causing many people to want to look like the models in
magazines. 
Genetic factors can also play a role in anorexia. Eating disorders appear to run in
families. Female relatives are most often affected. Although genetic factors may play a
role in the development of anorexia, other influences play a role such as behavioral and
environmental. A recent study found that mothers who are overly concerned about their
daughter's weight and physical attractiveness might put the girls at increased risk of
developing an eating disorder. Also girls with eating disorders often have a father and
brothers who are overly critical of their weight. (Eating Disorders-Decade of the Brain
www.mediconsult.com). 
The most famous known case of Anorexia is probably that of Karen Carpenter, who died from
heart failure resulting from Anorexia Nervosa. This disease can be defined as
self-starvation leading to a loss of body weight fifteen percent below normal,
accompanied with hyperactivity, hypothermia, and amenorrhea. Hypothermia results when the
body's natural insulation becomes non-existent and the victim becomes cold all the time.
Amenorrhea is the absence of at least three menstrual cycles; this is also affected by
the loss of fat stores in the body. (www.mediconsult.com) 
Men who are affected by anorexia are usually into professions such as gymnastics, or
modeling, acting and wrestling. Occupations or sports activities that have specific
weight or body shape requirements are what cause the problems. Although anorexia is
labeled as a women's disease, more and more males are being diagnosed with it. Studies
show that for every ten females with an eating disorder one male is affected. Males are
under diagnosed because males are less likely to ask for help, especially with a "women's
disease". It is also believed that males with anorexia have a history of poor
relationships with their parents. Also they have inhibited sexual expression and confused
sexual identity. Many men suffering from anorexia are short, and fat before they stop
eating. (Male Anorexia- www.mentalhealth.com).
Many medical complications come along with Anorexia. Starvation can damage vital organs
such as the heart and brain. To protect itself the body shifts into slow gear. Monthly
menstrual periods stop, breathing, pulse and blood pressure rates drop, and thyroid
function slows. Frequent headaches are due to lowered blood pressure and decreased oxygen
supply to brain. They are always cold because of the lack in circulation due to lowered
blood pressure and slowed heart rate, and a slowed metabolism. A lack in potassium in the
blood caused the low blood pressure. Their heart rate becomes slow or irregular and they
develop electrolyte imbalances and vitamin deficiencies. Nails and hair become brittle;
the skin gets very dry and yellows, and often becomes covered with soft hair called
lanugo. Excessive thirst and frequent urination may occur. Dehydration is because of
constipation from not eating. ("Anorexia Nervosa" www.wellweb.com). 
Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and headaches commonly occur in
Anorexia. Their bones are more prone to breakage due to the lack in calcium. In some
patients the brain shrinks, causing personality changes. Luckily this condition can be
reversed when normal weight is reestablished. Anorexia patients also suffer from other
psychiatric illnesses. Some suffering from clinical depression, and others from anxiety,
personality, or substance abuse disorders and many are at risk for suicide. ("Anorexia
Nervosa"- www.wellweb.com). 
In an attempt to understand eating disorders, scientists have studied the biochemical on
the neuroendocrine system. Through studying the neuroendocrine system they found it
regulates appetite and digestion, sleep, physical growth and development, emotions,
thinking, kidney function, and memory. These are all functions of the mind and body,
which are usually seriously disturbed in people with eating disorders. Also the hormone
vasopressin is a brain chemical found to be abnormal in people with eating disorders.
Researchers have shown that levels of this hormone are elevated in patients with
Anorexia, and other eating disorders. Normally it is released in response to physical and
possibly emotional stress, vasopressin may contribute to the obsessive behavior seen in
some patients with eating disorders.
Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early. Unfortunately even
when a family member confronts the sick person about their behavior, individuals with the
disorder will most likely deny they have a problem. Therefore people with eating
disorders may not receive help or treatment for Anorexia until they have already become
dangerously thin and malnourished. Eating disorders in males may be more often overlooked
because anorexia is rare in boys and men. Getting and keeping people with these disorders
in treatment can be very difficult. Treatment is very important, the longer these
abnormal eating patterns go on the more difficult it is to overcome the disorder.
Families need to offer support and encouragement to help with the success of the
treatment. 
People suffering from Anorexia are suffering from an interaction of emotional and
physiological problems. Treatment must involve a variety of different doctors and
approaches. Usually a treatment team will include an, internist, a nutritionist, and
individual psychotherapist, and a pschopharmacologist (someone who is very knowledgeable
about medications useful in treating the disorder). Patients need to undergo
psychotherapy that will teach the patient how to change abnormal thoughts and behavior.
Some antidepressant medications may be effective when combined with other forms of
treatment. ("Anorexia Nervosa," Microsoft? Encarta? 98 Encyclopedia.)
Treatment can save the life of someone with Anorexia. Friends, relatives, teachers, and
physicians all play a role in helping the ill person start to get back to normal eating
patterns and a normal life. 
Works Cited
1. The Harvard Medical School Mental Health Letter, May 1998. "Male Anorexia." Internet
Mental Health (www.mentalhealth.com). America Online. 
2. "Eating Disorders-Decade of the Brain." www.mediconsult.com/eatdisorder/. America
Online.
3. "Mind and Body- Signs and Symptoms- Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders."
www.somethingfishy.com. America Online.
4. "Anorexia Nervosa." Wellness Web Homepage www.wellweb.com. America Online. 
5. "Anorexia Nervosa," Microsoft? Encarta? 98 Encyclopedia. ? 1993-1997 Microsoft
Corporation.