Introduction to anorexia

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Introduction to Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder. Many articles have been published regarding this disease. Eating disorders are disturbing behavioral illnesses brought upon by a numerous factors. This paper will summarize two articles that have been published in Psychology Today and Maclean’s magazine. The assignment will also discuss the causes, signs and symptoms, complications and treatment of the eating disorder.

Summary of Articles

Causes

There is no single cause for the eating disorder anorexia but a number of factors including emotional disorders and cultural influences have been determined to bring about the disorder. Depression and other psychological disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders are said to come hand in hand with the eating disorder. Phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) usually lead the beginning of eating disorders, while panic disorder tends to follow. Studies have shown that people with anorexia are especially prone to obsessive -compulsive disorder and bulimia. There are many maladies that accompany anorexia nervosa and there is no one cause.

Signs and symptoms.

Psychologists have found it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the disorder and whether someone is suffering from it. Anorexic people are difficult to distinguish from normal people due to their expertise of keeping secrets. Family members of anorexic patients are usually shocked at the fact they did not notice the symptoms right away. One primary symptom is the change in size and major weight loss from excessive and continuous dieting. Dieting is usually of an unhealthy nature; this may either be restrictive and or binge eating. Anorexic individuals usually have cold and swollen hands and feet. Their stomachs are often bothered after eating and are often bloated. Anorexic patients may also have poor memory and judgment and their way of thinking may be confused or slowed. However, all of these symptoms vary from individual to individual.

Another reason why it is difficult to make a distinction that a person is anorexic is because they may still have a normal weight or even be overweight but still anorexic. The most perplexing symptom of anorexia is the distorted body image. An individual can be suffering for many years before getting treatment due to the difficulty to distinguish the disease.

Complications.

There are a lot of complications that could arise from anorexia. Studies illustrate heart disease is the most common medical cause of death for people with anorexia. The dehydration and starvation of anorexia can reduce fluid levels and mineral contents, a condition known as electrolyte imbalance, which can be of very serious and even life threatening, unless the fluids and minerals are replaced. Reproductive and hormonal abnormalities can occur due to anorexia. Anorexia causes low levels of reproductive hormones, changes in thyroid hormones, and increases the level of stress hormones, which causes amenorrhea. This causes anorexic women to have irregular menstrual cycles. Anorexics may also develop low blood pressure, impaired heart function, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or sterility. There are many complications that are associated with this disorder.

Treatment.

It is also very difficult to treat the disorder because anorexic patients refuse to eat since they believe that their weight is attractive and their fear of getting fat. Moderately to severely ill anorexic patients should be admitted to the hospital for immediate treatment. In addition to immediate treatment of any serious medical problem, the goal of the anorexic patient is to increase weight. Since anorexia nervosa has no real treatment, the only real treatment for now could be eating healthy, exercising moderately and also doing constant medical checkups. Anorexia is very difficult to treat because most anorexic patients are committed to their refusal to eat, while insisting that nothing is wrong with them.

Conclusion.

Consicely, I’ve learned that anorexia has many causes such as media, chemical imbalances and culture. It is challenging to differentiate whether someone is suffering from the illness and people suffering from anorexia usually are in complete denial that something is wrong. Complications such as hormonal imbalances, dehydration, heart disease and even death can occur with out proper treatment. Treating an anorexic person can be difficult because of their refusal to eat. The best way to treat anorexia is by healthy eating, exercise and increasing the self esteem of an individual so they can have a healthy body image.

In conclusion, once we become nurses it is very important to recognize the signs and symptoms of an anorexic individual. A simple statement like “I am fat” can be a sign of a distorted body image. I believe that once I become a nurse this experience will help me empathize and with an anorexic patient. It is much easier to sincerely empathize with a patient if you have an understanding of what they are going through. It can also help us prevent anorexia by promoting and encouraging people to have a healthy body image.