Anorexia Nervosa and Mary-Kate Olsen Essays - Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa and Mary-Kate Olsen Cheyenne Tuggle and Kayla Saldana The University of Valley Forge PSY 363 Cheyenne Anorexia Nervosa: What is it? (Webster, 1989) "A serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss." People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with activities in their lives. Some people with anorexia binge and purge, similar to individuals who have bulimia nervosa. However, people with anorexia generally struggle with an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia typically are normal to above normal weight. No matter how weight loss is achieved, the person with anorexia has an intense fear of gaining weight. Anorexia isn't really about food. It's an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate thinness with self-worth. Onset is pre-teen - early adulthood. Anorexia Nervosa: What is it? (Ekern, 2017) Two types: Binge/Purge Type The individual suffering from this type of eating disorder, will purge when he or she eats. This is typically a result of the overwhelming feelings of guilt a sufferer would experience in relation to eating; they compensate by vomiting, abusing laxatives, or excessively exercising. Restrictive Type In this form, the individual will fiercely limit the quantity of food consumed, characteristically ingesting a minimal amount that is well below their body's caloric needs, effectively slowly starving him or herself. Though two classifications of anorexia nervosa exist, both types exhibit similar symptoms, such as irrational fear of weight gain and abnormal eating patterns. Anorexia: Symptoms Three Types: (Hall-Flavin, 2017) Physical Symptoms The physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are related to starvation, but the disorder also includes emotional and behavior issues related to an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Emotional Symptoms Depression, anxieties. Behavioral Symptoms Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of the food and may include use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products. Anorexia: Physical Symptoms (Hall-Flavin, 2017) Extreme weight loss Abnormal blood counts Fatigue Insomnia Dizziness/fainting Hair loss Menstrual absence Dry/yellow skin Low blood pressure Dehydration Anorexia: Emotional Symptoms (Berger, 2016) Fears gaining weight Has an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even when underweight. Distorted self-image Has a body image that is very distorted, be very focused on body weight or shape, and refuse to admit the danger of weight loss. Depression Depression goes hand-in-hand with many mental disorders, even if it was never prominent in someone's life previous to developing the disorder. Worrying Constant worry about weight and shape. Hunger denial They know that they're starving but convincing themselves that they are not. Flat mood Lack of emotion/emotionless. Thoughts of suicide Anorexia: Behavioral Symptoms (Berger, 2016) Limiting food intake/throwing up Refuses to keep normal weight Refuses to keep weight at what is considered normal for their age and height (15% or more below the normal weight). Play with food Cutting food into small pieces or moving them around the plate instead of eating. Over exercise Exercising all the time, even when the weather is bad, they are hurt, or their schedule is busy. Will not eat in front of others Take pills Using pills to make themselves urinate (water pills, or diuretics), have a bowel movement (enemas and laxatives), or decrease their appetite (diet pills). Lie about eating habits They lie about how much food they ate or when the last time was. Social withdraw They lack the ability to want to be with others or enjoy even a night out. Irritability Very irritable towards everyone and anything. Anorexia: Causes (Ekern, 2017) Factors not causes Causes of this disorder are still not exactly known, but there have been many factors that are found to contribute to anorexia. Environmental Causes: Media The effects of the thinness culture in media, that constantly reinforce thin people as ideal stereotypes. Promotional careers Professions and careers that promote being thin and weight loss, such as ballet and modeling. Traumas Family and childhood traumas: childhood sexual abuse, severe trauma. Peer pressure Peer pressure among friends and co-workers to be thin or be sexy. Biological Factors: Irregular hormones Types of imbalance of hormones. Genetics Genetics (the tie between anorexia and one's genes is still being heavily researched, but we know that genetics is a part of the story). Nutritional Deficiencies Anorexia: Treatment (Berger, 2016) The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is helping the person recognize that they have an illness. Most