...Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa Comparison Essay Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders that involve serious eating practice that are considered to be very dangerous and even fatal if not corrected. These disorders normally occur as a result failure to lose weight through regular dieting and a desperate desire to lose weight. It is believed that eating disorders are caused by a lack of confidence and satisfaction with one’s self-image and an abnormal desire to fit into the modern day profile of perfect body shape and size. Although they are two separate disorders they share many commonalities and differences. They both are believed to have biological, sociocultural and psychological implications that motivate or stimulate the development of eating disorders (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011). A maladaptive perception of body size and shape is evident in persons suffering from both anorexia and bulimia who believe that they weigh too much and are too fat or too heavy regardless of their actual weight or appearance (Shisslak, Crago, & Pazda, 1990). The major difference between the two disorders is the criteria established by DSM-IV-TR that defines each disorder; for example with anorexia nervosa, the patient refuses to maintain body weight at or above the minimally weight based on their age and height. They have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even though they are underweight. They are in denial of the seriousness of their low body weight...
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...Abstract The main purpose of this extended project dissertation is as following: to explore the causes of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, in particular the biological, psychological and societal causes. Eating disorders are becoming increasingly common in today’s society and the causes of theses disorders are not completely known. This essay explores the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the risks and consequences of suffering from such disorders. The essay also concentrates upon how eating disorders are gradually affecting more and more men and children – something that was not often seen before. The main focus of this project is to discover whether the causes of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa stem from pre-dispositions which are linked with the body and mind or rather stemmed from society. The main biological reasons which the essay focuses on are; damaged hypothalamuses and genetic hereditariness. The main environmental causes of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa that I have studied are media influences and undesirable conditions for raising children. In writing this project I believe that I have developed valuable skills that I will need in my subjects which include; being able to extract key information from large pieces of text, researching, speedy note taking and the ability to weigh up two sides of an argument fairly and without bias. I am also aware that the skills I am developing while writing this dissertation...
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...paper include anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves recurring episodes of uncontrollable, excessive eating, which is following my compensatory actions to remove the food. For example, someone with bulimia nervosa would deliberately vomit, abuse laxatives, and/or excessively exercise to remove the food from their body. Anorexia nervosa is also an eating disorder, but it is characterized by recurrent food refusal that eventually leads to dangerously low body weight. In the supplemental article on these two eating disorders, the authors explored the extent to which anorexia and bulimia represented culture-bound syndromes, which is defined as a collection...
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...disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder and affect both females and males. 2. What are the types of eating disorders? Types of eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for both women and men. In the eating disorders list below, you'll find these disorders typically involve starvation, purging, and binge eating behaviors. 3. What are the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Anorexia Nervosa? Criteria * Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height: Weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight <85% of that expected or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected. * Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight. * Disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape are experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight. * Amenorrhea (at least three consecutive cycles) in post-monarchal girls and women. Amenorrhea is defined as periods occurring only following hormone (e.g., estrogen) administration. Type Restricting type: During the current episode of anorexia nervosa, the person has not...
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...beautiful, happy people who have perfect bodies. Anorexia is the third most common mental health disorder affecting teenagers, and close to half of the American population personally knows someone who is battling an eating disorder. Cases of eating disorders are on the rise and many blame the media for the increase. With eating disorders becoming so prevalent it is important to know the classifications, signs, and symptoms associated with this mental health disorder. Eating disorders can be classified into four categories Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS). Eating disorders are a serious issue that one should be knowledgeable about. Anorexia Nervosa is what many people think of when they hear about eating disorders. According to the DSM IV-TR anorexia nervosa is classified as “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% of that expected or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight, and disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.” Those who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa are often perfectionists. Those who suffer from this...
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...Anorexia & Bulimia Every night, in every country of the world, both males and females cry themselves to sleep. Some even wish they were dead rather than suffer with poor self-image and the belief of being overweight. People that have this problem may have a disease known as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. Anorexia and Bulimia are serious eating disorders that have similarities and differences including symptoms, causes and treatments. Anorexia Nervosa is classified as an emotional disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. People with Anorexia starve themselves to dangerously thin levels. This means at least 15% below their appropriate weight. There are two types of anorexia, restricting and purging. Restricting type anorexia achieves weight loss by restricting calories. This can include drastic diets, fasting and exercising obsessively. The other type of anorexia is the purging type. Purging type anorexia achieves weight loss by vomiting and using laxatives and diuretics. Many girls think that they have to be supermodel thin because of the media. When girls read magazines like People, Vogue, Maxim and Seventeen, they get the idea that they are not as thin as they should be. They develop a distorted self-image because they believe they should be what society wants them to be. In most cases, they do not see themselves as they really are. Bulimia Nervosa is an illness where you...
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...found to affect a large number of people. The disorder does not discriminate against gender, age group, or socioeconomic status although it’s more common in the female gender. The three most common types of this psychological disorder include Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge eating. Anorexia is found in a person who refuses to eat or eats a minimal amount to cause severe weight loss. Bulimia involves a person who consumes a large amount of food and then seeks to purge himself of the caloric intake. Most commonly this is accomplished by vomiting. The third type, binge eating, is similar to bulimia accept in this particular case there is no attempt by the individual to compensate for the caloric intake. In the following research paper the causes, clinical findings, and treatment of each of these disorders will be discussed to determine how each varies from one another. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder that is caused by self-induced starvation resulting in severe weight loss. It is considered a psychological disorder because it primarily affects healthy young individuals, mostly commonly young women, who have developed an obsession with becoming thin. It is estimated that 0.5 to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime (Stunkard, J. A., & Wilson, T., 2008.) The exact cause is not known, but attitudes towards physical appearance and family issues effect its development. Feasting on large amounts of food and then vomiting or use of laxatives...
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...foods are often more costly and low income families simply cannot afford them. Inexpensive foods are often served in portions that are well above the recommendations for servings. Families keep themselves so busy in this day and time, and this leads to buying foods that are convenient to make. Convenience foods can often be high in fat and calories, making them unhealthy choices. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes a fear of gaining weight. A person may feel fat even though he or she is extremely thin. Some of the health problems associated with anorexia are changes in brain chemistry, brittle hair and nails, weak muscles, bone loss, and fractures. Anorexia can also cause kidney failure and growth problems. Bulimia nervosa is when large amounts of food are uncontrollably eaten and then purged. A person with bulimia may use methods like abuse of diuretics and laxatives to get rid of the food that is eaten. Physical complications include irritation of esophagus, stomach, and throat from excessive vomiting. The teeth can become yellowed and damaged from the acid in vomit. Bulimia also causes lung irritation due to choking during vomiting. The choking allows food to enter the lungs. The loss of body fluids causes low potassium...
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...of Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is one of the leading eating disorders worldwide alongside anorexia nervosa and continues to pose a major health threat as sufferers experience psychological and medical symptoms that most often lead to complications (Le Grange & Lock, 2007, p. 4). One of these complications is the tendency of bulimic patients to commit suicide because of aggravating sense of despair and loss of hope. According to Pompili, Girardi, Ruberto & Tatarelli (2006), “suicide in anoxeria nervosa and bulimia nervosa is a major cause of death” (p. 1). Aside from suicide, one of the disturbing realities about bulimia nervosa is how it tends to affect women and adolescents. The usual onset or starting point of bulimia is set at adolescence (Le Grange & Lock, 2007, p. 3) when young adults are starting to form their own self-identity, a process tied to the notion of body image. The seriousness of bulimia nervosa compels one to understand the ‘entire story’ of this eating disorder that includes knowing its history and nature, the etiology, symptoms and prognosis as well as the innovative treatments that have emerged in the recent years that can solve the case and problem that is bulimia nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa: At a Glance Characteristics and symptoms often associated to BN are known to have existed and observed in the ancient times. Emperors Claudius and Vitellius of ancient Rome are found to have exhibited the typical features of bulimia nervosa (Willer...
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...Eating disorders: Bulimia Nervosa vs Anorexia Nervosa Do you know that the most of the young are not happy with their physical appearance? Nowadays, teenagers deny their appearance because the majority of them think they are fat. This is in part because what they see on TV, commercials and advertisements. Most of the teenagers see all the actors, actresses and models with a thin figure that makes them to think to be like they. But this kind of thinking will become a serious problem that can lead them to make unhealthy choices about food with damaging results to their health. Eating disorders are characterized by an abnormal attitude food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behavior. The most common are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia and bulimia are both serious eating disorders with different and similarities in their symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, and prognosis. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by the refusal of an emaciated individual to maintain to normal body weight. A person with anorexia nervosa typically weighs no more than 85 percent of the excepted weight for the person age, height, and sex, and in some cases much less. They also have a distorted evaluation of their own weight and body shape. In women the weight loss is accompanied by amenorrhea (failure to menstruate for at least three consecutive months). An estimated 5-20 percent of people with the disorder dies as the result of starvation or medical complications...
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...traditionally been thought of as the leading cause of disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. However, this explanation alone doesn’t seem sufficient. We are all exposed to the same “thin is in” messaging and to live in a westernized society more or less means residing in a virtually inescapable landscape that pushes thinness as a valuable possession. Yet, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa affect only an estimated 0.3 to 0.7 percent, and 1.7 to 2.5 percent, respectively, of females in the general population (Berrettini, 2004). Through my research, which...
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...BULIMIA Definition: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise or misuse of laxatives, to prevent weight gain. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists the following diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa: * Recurrent episodes of binge eating (characterized by eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than most would eat in that period of time and/or in that situation, combined with a sense of lack of control of eating during the episode) * Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; use of laxatives diuretics, enemas or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise * The binge eating and compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months * Self-evaluation is highly influenced by body shape and weight. * There are two subtypes of bulimia nervosa: purging and nonpurging types. A person with bulimia nervosa, purging type, regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas. A person with bulimia nervosa, non-purging type, does not engage in purging behaviors (and instead uses other compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise). Source: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition...
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...SPH 131 D020 Informative Speech 15 September 2014 Anorexia and Bulimia Introduction: I. Opening: Maintaining a certain weight can be hard to do. But trying to gain it can be even harder. II. Thesis: Anorexia Nervosa is a lack or loss of appetite for food, or can be emotional by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat. III. Preview: I’ll be telling you some details about anorexia, and comparing it to bulimia. A. What anorexia nervosa is B. Comparing it to bulimia C. Treatment for anorexia Body I. What is Anorexia Nervosa? A. It can either be a medical condition where loss of appetite is a symptom, or an eating disorder caused by the obsession to lose weight. B. Anorexia has no particular sex, age range, ethnic background, or social class, and there is no immunity to it. Somewhere around 10% of those who have anorexia die from the disorder. 1. 2. II. Comparing Anorexia to Bulimia A. Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder where there is high concern over body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, but in this case instead of refusing food, there is overeating which is followed by depression, vomiting, and fasting. It can also be where overeating happens in a small amount of time and is then followed by feelings of guilt or shame. B. As you can see: anorexia is refusing to eat as to where bulimia is overconsumption followed by regurgitation. 1. Anorexia is of Greek origin, the A being a prefix of negation...
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...of eating disorder symptoms have been shown to affect comorbidity. The DSM-IV should not be used by laypersons to diagnose themselves, even when used by professionals there has been considerable controversy over the diagnostic criteria used for various diagnoses, including eating disorders. There has been controversy over various editions of the DSM including the latest edition, DSM-V, due in May 2013. Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_disorder Bulimia: An eating disorder in which a person binges and purges. The person may eat a lot of food at once and then try to get rid of the food by vomiting, using laxatives, or sometimes over-exercising. People with bulimia are preoccupied with their weight and body image. Bulimia is associated with depression and other psychiatric disorders. It shares some symptoms with anorexia nervosa, another major eating disorder. Because many people with bulimia can maintain a normal weight, they may be able to keep their condition a secret for years. If not treated, bulimia can lead to nutritional...
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...types of eating disorders, which are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating, also known as compulsive over-eating, but the most two common types are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia and bulimia are also common in industrialized nations where society encourages low calorie diets and thinness. Many people believe that only females have eating disorder (myth), but approximately five to ten percent of eating disorders occur in males. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, an obsessive fear of gaining weight, and an unrealistic perception of current body weight. Anorexia can cause menstruation to stop, and often leads to bone loss, loss of skin integrity. It can stress the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and related heart problems. Also, some typical changes are digestive problems, extreme sensitivity to cold, mental confusion, injuries to nerves and tendons, anemia, and abnormalities of immune function, etc. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychosomatic illness today. One myth about anorexia nervosa is that “People with anorexia nervosa do not eat anything.” They generally do eat, sometimes even three meals a day. They just do not consume enough calories to maintain a healthy body weight. They may also have rituals around eating or purposely avoid eating with others, so it may seem like they do not eat at all. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by a cycle of...
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