Anorexia Nervosa

Definition:

• "anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder charcterized by abnormal eating behavior,severe self-induced weight loss , and psychiatric comorbidities
• anorexia is also an emotional disorder that focuses on food, but researchers believe it is an attempt to deal with perfectionism" (Anorexia Nervosa University of Maryland)

Two Types:

• restrictive type (diets, fasting, and exercise)
• purging type (vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics)

History

• "first given its name in 1868 by William Withey Gull which was a British physician in London
• the disease was 1st documented in 1873 by Charles Lasgue in his book 'L'anorexia Hysterique' it talked about the disease in a young French girls.

History Continue

• During the Victoria Era, the disorder was thought to be a form of hysteria affected by middle and upper class women.
• Obesity during this era was characterized by poverty.
• Even though the ideal body image was curvy and full-figured, which brought the idea of a corsets.

History Continue

• midway of the 20th century mass media brought the idea of slimness as an ideal body type.
• which created the idea of diets
• In 1983 Karen Carpenter died of this disease, but media didn't really talk about this incident." (Anorexia Nervosa New World Encyclopedia)

Statistics

• "0.9% of American women suffer from anorexia
• 1 in 5 anorexia deaths is by suicide
• 50-80% of the risk for anorexia or bulimia is genetic

Statistics Continue

• 33-50% of anorexia patients have a comorbid mood disorder, such a depression (more in binge/purge type)
• about 1/2 of anorexia patients have comorbid anxiety disorder, including obsessive-compulsion disorder and social phobia."(@anadsupport)

Cause

• "no one knows exactly what the cause is but here are some factors that might lead to this eating disorder
• severe trauma or emotional stress (death or sexual abuse) during puberty or prepuberty
• abnormalities in brain chemistry. Serotonin, a brain chemical that is involved with depression

Cause continue

• a cultural environment that puts a high value on thin or lean bodies
• a tendency toward perfectionism, fear of being ridiculed or humiliated. A belief that being perfect is necessary in order to be loved
• family history, about 1/5th of people have a relative with a eating disorder"(Anorexia Nervosa University of...)

Ways to Tell

• "SCOOF questionnaire a 'yes' to two questions is a strong indicator of a eating disorder.
• S: Do you feel sick because you feel full?
• C: Do you lose control over how much you eat?

Ways to Tell Continue

• O: Have you lost more than 13 pounds recently?
• F: Do you believe that you are fat when others say that you are thin?
• F: Does food and thoughts of food dominate your life?" (Anorexia Nervosa University of Maryland)
• lab tests may also be good to check

Symptoms

• inadequate food intake
• fear of weight gain
• self-esteem issues
• scanty or absent menstrual period
• thinning of hair
• dry skin
• brittle nails
• cold or swollen hands and feet

Symptoms Continue

• bloated or upset stomach
• low blood pressure
• fatique
• abnormal heart rthmes
• inability to remember things
• depression
• BMI less than 17.5 in adults or 85% of expected weight in children

Symptoms Continue

• abnormalities of mineral and electrolytes levels in body
• constantly feeling cold
• zinc deficiency
• reduction of white blood cell count
• reduced immune system
• headaches

Effects

• "When your body doesn't get fuel it needs to function normally, it goes into starvation mode which slows down to conserve energy. Essentially, your body begins to consume itself. If self-starvation continues and more body fat is lost, medical complications pile up and your body and mind pay the price." (Anorexia Nervosa signs, symptoms..)

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Things to Consider

• "Pregnancy: higher rates of infertility, spontaneous abortion, risk of low birth weight babies and birth defects, risk of medical complications, risk of relapse triggered by stress of pregnancy or parenthood

Continue Things to Consider

• irregular heart beat
• anemia, lack of vitamin B12
• low potassium,calcium, magnesium,and phosphate levels
• increased cholesterol
• hormonal change
• osteoporosis
• seizures & numbness in hands and feet

Continue Things to Consider

• disorganized thinking
• death"(Anorexia Nervosa University of Maryland)

Treatment

• "a combination of psychotherapy, family therapy, and medicine
• major lifestyle changes
• medicines to help with anxiety
• nutrition and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals
• herbs help strengthen body system

Treatment Continue

• homeopathy may be an idea to consider
• physical medicine (acupuncture)
• mind-body medicine: cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, body awareness" (Anorexia Nervosa University of Maryland)

Recovery Tips

• "1. Not about weight or food- at least not at its core
• eating disorder is much more complex
• the food and weight-related issues are symptoms of something deeper: depression, loneliness, insecurity, pressure to be perfect. Things that no amount of dieting or weight loss can cure

Recovery Tip Continue

• 2. Learn to tolerate your feelings
• example- that following restrictive food rules make you feel safe and powerful. When taking the coping mechanism away, you will be confronted with feelings of fear and helplessness your anorexia helped you avoid
• figure out what the real problem is

Recovery Tip Continue

• 3. challenge damaging mindset
• usually people with anorexia have the black and white mindset for example I feel fat so that means I am fat concept.
• labeling is a issue with anorexics because they go to the worst-case scenarios
• challenge your thoughts with questions

Recovery Tip Continue

• 4. develop a healthier relationship with food
• get back to a healthier weight, start eating more, change the way you think about yourself and food, get back in touch with your body, get rid of your scale, consider a nutritionist" (Anorexia Nervosa signs,symptoms...)

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