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Anorexia Nervosa Anhlinh Mai Axia College of University of Phoenix

2 Introduction Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. Untreated anorexia can lead to starvation, serious health problems and could lead to dead.

3 Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They are very limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin. Anorexia affects both the body and the mind. It may start as dieting, but it gets out of control. Anorexia nervosa is an illness that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, adult women and men. They lose a lot of weight and are terrified of gaining weight. They believe they are fat even though they are very thin. Anorexia is not just a problem with food or weight. It is affected to the mind and has to deal with emotional problems. Anorexia nervosa become more and more obsessed with thinness as they continue to lose weight, even though they may appear to others as little more than skin and bones, but they see themselves as fat and deny that they have a problem. According to the Oxford Reference, Apollo Group (2009) Many people are now familiar with the disorder of anorexia nervosa, which is diagnosed by the criteria of self-induced weight loss coupled with a morbid fear of becoming fat and relentless pursuit of thinness. Approximately 95% that affected with anorexia are female, but males can develop the disorder as well. Anorexia nervosa is affected to all ethnicities and all over the countries. Anorexia nervosa was first identified in the 1870s by Sir W. W. Gull. Although the medical facts of anorexia nervosa have been documented since the 1870s, personal details of anorexias lives are more publicized today than ever before. Many eating disorder clinics have opened since the late 1980s, but it may be difficult to change the eating behavior and mindset of an anorexia victim, especially when they are surrounding by numerous other thin women who have similar eating behaviors. Today, many

4 young women are obsessed with dieting as a form of cultural expression and a way to look as thin as the models and celebrities. Anorexia nervosa seems to be more prevalent as the ideal female body image becomes thinner; however, the disorder may have always been this widespread but just less publicized. The cause of anorexia nervosa is not known. Anorexia usually begins as innocent dieting behavior, but gradually progresses to extreme and unhealthy weight loss. The develop anorexia are more likely to come from families with a history of weight problems, physical illness, and other mental health problems, such as depression or substance abuse. Anorexia nervosa is an emotional disorder that focuses on food, but it is actually an attempt to deal with perfectionism and a desire to control things by strictly regulating food and weight. People with anorexia often feel that their self-esteem is tied to how thin they are. Anorexia most commonly affects teens and often affected by other emotional problems. Anorexia is a life-threatening condition that can result in death from starvation, heart failure, electrolyte imbalance, or suicide. It can be a chronic disease, one that the person has to deal with over the lifetime. But treatment can help develop a healthier lifestyle and avoid anorexias complications. Anorexia is much more than dieting gone wrong. It requires medical treatment and may respond to psychotherapy. The more chronic the condition, the more difficult it is to treat. If treated early, most of the physical symptoms can be corrected through nutrition and the gradual restoration of normal weight. (Oxford university press, 1997). The primary sign of anorexia nervosa is severe weight loss. People with anorexia may try to lose weight by severely limiting how much food they eat. They may also exercise excessively. Some people may engage in binging and purging. At the same time, the person may insist that they are overweight.

5 Some of the physical signs and symptoms are bloated or upset stomach, downy hair covering the body, low blood pressure, fatigue, and abnormal heart beat. Psychological and behavioral signs and symptoms are refusing to eat, inability to remember things, refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the illness, and depression. People with anorexia may also be socially withdrawn, irritable, moody, and depressed. The symptoms of anorexia nervosa may resemble other medical problems or psychiatric conditions. Others may be able to identify the person with anorexia nervosa, although a person with the disorder initially keeps their illness very private and hidden. Early treatment can often prevent future problems. People with anorexia may think they are in control of their disease and do not want any help. But if you or a loved one is experiencing signs of anorexia, it is very important to seek help. If parent who suspect their child has anorexia, take the child to see the doctor immediately. If your doctor suspects anorexia, the doctor will order several laboratory tests as well as do a psychological evaluation to diagnosis the disease. Lab tests may include blood tests to look for signs of anemia, to check electrolytes, and to check liver and kidney function, electrocardiogram to look for abnormal heart rhythms, and bone density test to check for osteoporosis. If the doctor makes a diagnosis of anorexia, the doctor will likely ask the person to work with a multidisciplinary team including a doctor, a psychologist or psychiatrist, and a registered dietitian. According to the WebMD (1995-2008) Your doctor may ask questions about how you feel. It is common for a treatable mental health problem such as depression or anxiety to play a part in an eating disorder. Serotonin is the neurotransmitters associated with the anorexia nervosa, because in the central nervous system, chemical messengers know as neurotransmitters control hormone

6 production. The neurotransmitters serotonin functions abnormally in people who have depression and eating disorders. The most successful treatment is a combination of psychotherapy, family therapy, and medication. It is important for the person with anorexia nervosa to be actively involved in their treatment. Many times the person with anorexia does not think they need any treatment. Even if they do, anorexia is a long-term challenge that may last a lifetime. A combination of treatments can give the person the medical, psychological, and practical support they need. Behavioral therapy, along with antidepressants, can be an effective treatment for eating disorders. Complementary and alternative therapies may help with nutritional deficiencies. Treatment should always be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the adolescent and family. Individual therapy usually includes both cognitive and behavioral techniques. Medication may be helpful with depressants. The frequent occurrence of medical complications and the possibility of death during the course of acute and rehabilitative treatment require both your adolescents physician and a nutritionist to be active members of the management team. Parents or loved on could play a vital supportive role in any treatment process. Hospitalization may be required for medical complications related to weight loss and malnutrition. Treating anorexia nervosa involves major lifestyle changes as well. Establishing regular eating habits and a healthy diet and sticking with the treatment and meal plans. Cutting back on exercise is the most recommendation if the exercise has been part of the disease. Once the person has gained weight, the doctor may set a controlled exercise program to help overall health. There are no medications specifically approved to treat anorexia. However, antidepressants are often prescribed to treat depression that may accompany anorexia.

7 Medications may not work alone and should be used in conjunction with a multidisciplinary approach that includes nutritional interventions and psychotherapy. In addition to individual therapy for anorexia, family therapy that involves parents and friends is also recommended. Family therapy is aimed at helping the parents or partner to understand the seriousness of this illness and the ways in which family patterns may contribute to it. Pharmacological treatment is possible, and the drugs that have been exert their behavioral actions through the central monoamine and opiate neurotransmitter systems. (Oxford university press, 1987).

References Kent, M. (1997). Oxford University Press. Anorexia nervosa Food and fitness: A dictionary of Diet and exercise. Retrieved August 3, 2009 from Apollo Group of Axia College. http://swtuopproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=e145633b685db137966aba438d44 Gregory, R. (1987). Oxford University Press. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Retrieved August 3, 2009 from Apollo Group of Axia College. http://swtuopproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID-ef60d830d859c7b051f0d9d43ed2420 (2006). Pearson Education, Inc. Human diseases: Chapter Fifteen Mental illness. Retrieved August 3, 2009 from Axia College Library (1995-2008). WebMD Medical reference from Healthwise. Anorexia Nervosa. Retrieved August 3, 2009 from WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/anorexia-nervosa/anorexia-nervosa-topic