Transcript Anorexia Nervosa

INVESTIGATING
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
By: Jahzmin Zuniga
Psychology
Period 2
What is Anorexia
Nervosa?
-Anorexia Nervosa is
a psychological
disorder usually
common in young
women that is
characterized by a
fear of becoming
obese, a distorted
self-image, an
unwillingness to eat,
and severe weight
loss. This disorder is
usually followed by
self- induced
vomiting, excessive
amounts of exercise,
malnutrition, etc.
Associated
Features
- Feelings and
Behaviors:
• Obsessive
Compulsive
Symptoms
• Perfectionism
• Physical
Complications( heart
problems,
Osteoporosis,
Hypothermia)
• Need for control
• Concerns about
eating in public
Associated Features
• Starvation associated with the disorder causes a
dry and cracking of the skin, slowed heart beat,
yellowing of the skin, impaired kidney
functioning, bone deterioration and anemia.
Those who self-induce vomiting experience
dental enamel erosion and scarring of hand skin
from contact with teeth.
Associated
Features
Eating Disorder Diagnostic Criteria from
DSM IV-TR
307.1 Anorexia Nervosa
* Refusal to maintain body weight at or above
a minimally normal weight for age and height,
for example, weight loss leading to
maintenance of body weight less than 85%
* Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming
fat, even though underweight.
* Disturbance in the way one's body weight or
shape is experienced
* In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, i.e.,
the absence of at least 3 consecutive
menstrual cycles. A woman having periods
only while on hormone medication.
ETIOLOGY
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There is no single cause for the
existence of anorexia. It comes from
a mixture of social, psychological,
and biological factors. The
contribution of media pressuring
women to be thin has been a
prominent factor.
Anorexia may be an attempt by
young women to gain control and
separate from their mothers.
Refusal to obtain or maintain
normal weight
Intense fear of gaining weight or
becoming fat even if already
underweight.
Distorted perception of weight or
shape
Denial of serious abnormal low body
weight
Prevalence
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If you were born in the spring, your chances of developing
this disorder are greater. A doctor and her team collected
data of birth dates of 1,293 people who were diagnosed
with anorexia. They discovered that a high number of
patients were born between March and June and for every
seven anorexic cases expected, there were eight.
Out of 100 patients with this disorder, about 75 to 80 will be
female patients.
It is more common in women, affecting 1-2% of the female
population and only 0.1-0.2% of males.
Anorexia nervosa is seen mainly in Caucasian women who
have goal oriented families.
Females remain conscious about their looks and physique
as compared to most males. That is why they are more
prone to developing this eating disorder.
Treatment
Treatment- Seeing a doctor,
counseling sessions,
healthy weight, and
healthy eating habits.
Behavioral family
therapy
Medical treatment
Nutritional counseling
Family therapy
Psychological
Counseling
Anti-depressant drug
therapy
Psychotherapy
Treatment
• THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT ANOREXIA
NERVOSA IS THAT, WITH PROPER
TREATMENT, RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE. IF
YOU SUSPECT THAT SOMEONE YOU
KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH ANOREXIA,
DO NOT HESITATE TO HELP THEM GET
THE TREATMENT THEY SO
DESPERATELY NEED!
Prognosis
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The National Institute of Mental
Health estimates that one in ten
anorexic cases ends in death from
starvation, suicide or medical
complications like heart attacks or
kidney failure.
Experienced treatment programs
have a two-thirds success rate in
restoring normal weight
Women who develop this eating
disorder at an early age have a better
chance of complete recovery. Most
people with anorexia will continue to
prefer a lower body weight and be
preoccupied with food and calories to
a certain extent.
References

Nordqvist, C. (2011). Anorexia more likely to affect those born in spring. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/223786.php

Disanto, G. (2011). Season of birth and Anorexia nervosa. Retrieved from
http:www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/222786.php

Ballas, P. (2006). What characterizes anorexia nervosa? Retrieved from
http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/anorexia-nervosa-dictionary.htm

Myers, D.G. (2011). Myers psychology for ap. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Discussion Question
• Is anorexia nervosa
really more common than
it used to be, or is it just
being identified more?