...“Anorexia has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness, it’s estimated that 4% of anorexic individuals die from complications of the disease” (Eating Disorder Hope). Is anorexia nervosa an illness caused by negative social conditions or is it a mental illness/mental disorder? After reading “The Slender Trap” written by Trina Piscatelli, I don’t agree with Piscatelli when she states in her reading that negative social conditions are the cause of anorexia nervosa in young women. Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness/mental disorder. According to Mayo Clinic the definition of mental illness is “…disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating...
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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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...Introduction Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where the person does not eat and maintain a normal body weight, in order to have a skinny body (DSM-IV). Mostly females are afflicted with this disorder, and most cases are curable. Many super models have anorexia nervosa and some have died from this disorder. Anorexia nervosa is also a psychological disorder as well (Stoppler, 2009). People who have anorexia nervosa have many symptoms and the causes are usually different and numerous for different people (“Anorexia nervosa,” 2008). Many people in the world have anorexia nervosa including celebrities like: Victoria Beckham, Mary Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, and numerous others (“Famous People With Eating Disorders”, 2009). Definition of Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where there is a major fear of gaining weight that results into a distorted body shape (“Anorexia nervosa,” 2008). This disorder is usually known as anorexia for short (Stoppler, 2009). The word...
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...In today’s society, eating disorders have been 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...
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...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 text revision. Washington...
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... [Date] Anorexia from a boyfriend perspective Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by less weight than considered healthy for one’s height and age; excessive dieting, excessive exercise or use of other means to avoid weight gain; and the resultant distorted body image. Literally, it means to lose appetite for nervous reasons. It entails an obsession with being thin (Beat 5). Even people who are underweight can suffer from this disorder. It may also lead to death if not discovered and treated in time. It is stressing and upsetting for anyone to learn that their loved one suffers from the disorder (Shepphird 32). It is even more traumatizing if it involves a partner, in this case, one’s girlfriend. It is even more heartbreaking if any attempt to assist bears no or little fruit. This is because even with the evident effects, most people will still try to hide from their partners. They may also be reluctant or even refuse to go for treatment and medication. It is therefore important for one to be well equipped with the right and sufficient information regarding the disorder in order to know how to deal with it in the right way. People suffering from anorexia think that they are fat when they are not or that they look bad when it is not the case and so are disgusted with how they look. They are also so afraid of gaining weight that they starve themselves. They constantly concentrate on what they should and should not eat. Mealtimes and eating thus become...
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...Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is more than just a problem with food. This illness causes people to starve themselves just to be skinny. Though at times people still see themselves fat even though they are already thin. Also it causes people to obsess about their weight. They always see themselves over weight. Another thing is that people with anorexia constantly weight themselves and also they restrict themselves to certain kind of food and some even throw up after they eat. What is Anorexia Nervosa? Anorexia is a serious and potentially life threating mental illness that might have fatal consequences. It is also an eating disorder that is characterized by an obsession with being thin and it is achieved through a variety of methods, but most commonly starvation. It’s a serious eating disorder that affects both women and men of all ages. Also anorexia is a deadly disorder. Though it’s a disorder where people diet to the point of starving and also exercising excessively to lose weight. When a person sees themselves fat and they would do anything to lose weight, so they go on a strict diet where they restrict themselves from food. People with anorexia have an intense fear of graining weight. What causes Anorexia? What causes anorexia is the fear of gaining weight. Even though anorexia is linked to a physical condition. Though the real causes of anorexia are related to an individual’s emotions. Other things that might cause...
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...Anorexia in Adolescence Felicia N. Hill Columbus Technical College Author Note This paper was prepared for Introductory Psychology 1101 taught by Professor Cyrus. Abstract Bizarre, devastating, and baffling are three words that describe the anorexia nervosa disease. By definition, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a normal-weight person diets and becomes significantly underweight, yet, still feeling fat, continue to starve themselves. People with this disorder are suppressing a strong desire to eat, because they are afraid of becoming fat. Anorexia is characterized by extreme starvation that leads to a disastrous loss of weight. Anorexia nervosa affects a large number of people today in the world, and does not discriminate against anybody. This research paper shows how dangerous and life-threatening anorexia is on adolescence, as well as, how self-image, family issues, and the media influence anorexia. Anorexia in Adolescence Adolescence is a chaotic time in the life of a growing teenager in which he or she experiences many physical as well as emotional changes. Not knowing where they stand in the world yet and trying to figure themselves out, adolescents may fall subject to influences and become victims of such horrible things as eating disorders. During adolescence a major importance in life is to be accepted and to fit in somewhere which brings about the issue of eating disorders. In order for them to be accepted and feel as if they are able to...
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...Eating Disorders Many young men and women in the United States have a skewed perception of themselves. Some people take healthy approaches to achieve their health goals while others take a more unhealthy, and sometimes, dangerous path. Eating disorders have many health issues, along with noticeable symptoms, and proposed theories. There are a number of different forms of eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by reduced appetite or total aversion of food. The first type of anorexia, called restricting type, is found in those who severely limit their caloric intake and exercise to excess to cause weight loss. The second type of the disorder is called binge eating and/or purging. These anorexics eat in binges and then purge the body of the ingested food either by self induced vomiting, the ingestion of large quantities of laxatives or the overuse of diuretics and enemas to rid the body of food. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. Binge Eating is characterized by insatiable cravings that can occur any time of the day or night, usually secretive, and filled with shame. There are also eating disorders not otherwise specified. It is the category for people who do not meet the strict criteria for either Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa, but who have significant...
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...What is anorexia nervosa?(Monique) * Who becomes anorexic?(Monique) * Anorexia nervosa causes and risk factors? (Christion) * Major risk factors for anorexia nervosa(Vanity) * How many people suffer from this disease and what causes it? (Vanity) * What should I do if I think someone I know has anorexia?(vanity) * Anorexic food behavior signs and symptoms(janive) * * Anorexic appearance and body image signs and symptoms(janive) * * Purging signs and symptoms(monique) * Anorexia treatment and therapy(christion) What is anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa was first given its name in 1868, by William Withey Gull, a British physician at Guy's Hospital, London. The disease was first documented in 1873, by Charles Lasgue, when he wrote L'anorexie Hysterique. Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with three key features: refusal to maintain a healthy body weight an intense fear of gaining weight a distorted body image Because of your dread of becoming fat or disgusted with how your body looks, eating and mealtimes may be very stressful. And yet, what you can and can’t eat is practically all you can think about.Thoughts about dieting, food, and your body may take up most of your day—leaving little time for friends, family, and other activities you used to enjoy. Life becomes a relentless pursuit of thinness and going to extremes to lose weight.But no matter how skinny you become, it’s never enough.While people with anorexia often...
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...adults have suffered from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Eating disorders cannot be controlled when it has reached a certain point and could be fatal to the human body. People always blame the media and models for these disorders because the actresses are always so skinny. What people do not know is that eating disorders can be caused by other things rather than the media and models. When people hear that someone suffering from anorexia they automatically think it is because they want to be a model or an actress, when in reality it could be because of emotional reasons. People need to realize that the media is not always the main cause to an eating disorder, they are dangerous to the body, and there are ways to prevent the disorder. Parents of the teens can be a big help to prevent teenagers to obtain such a disorder. Eating disorders are abnormal behaviors dealing with foods which mostly effect high school and college students. These disorders are divided into three categories: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating which they all are the most difficult mental illness to diagnose or cure. There are a variety of reasons doctors cannot cure or diagnose people with these conditions for the simple fact of people being in denial that they have an eating problem. Studies have shown that depression and eating disorders have a connection so doctors often give patients antidepressants for the use of treating the disorders. About eighteen million...
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...Beonka Robinson April 24, 2012 Women’s Studies 301 Anorexia A common disease afflicting an enormous number of young Americans is anorexia. While other mischiefs are characterized by the over consumption or the misuse of a product, anorexia is described as an anti-consumption behavior. In this paper, I will discuss what anorexia is, who takes part in it, how it related to race/ethnicity, and the effects of mass media. Anorexia is an eating disorder defined by excessive food restriction, illogical fear of gaining weight, and a misleading negative body self-perception (Nogal & Lewinski, 2008). The disorder naturally consists of extreme weight loss. It is frequently developed during adolescence and early adulthood. People with this disorder constrain the amount of food they consume because of the fear of gaining weight to live up to the delusion of a “perfect person” which does not exist. This causes metabolic and hormonal disorders that may cause long-term effect to the body (Carlson & Heth, 2007). Anorexia is a medical term for the lack of appetite. On the other hand, people with anorexia do not lose their appetites. It has many complex allegations and may be thought of as a constant illness that may never be truly cured, but only managed over time. Anorexia is characterized by low body weight, inappropriate eating habits, and obsession with having a thin figure. Those who suffer from it may also practice repeated weighing, measuring, and mirror gazing, in conjunction...
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...Anorexia and Bulimia Anorexia and bulimia are not just eating disorders, they are serious diseases that carry consequential side effects, and sometimes even death. Individuals who suffer from these eating disorders can see serious effects on their health, productivity, and relationships. These diseases are at times pushed off by family and friends because it is hard to detect the severity or signs of these diseases. The signs to these diseases can often imitate other conditions that are harmless, which makes it extremely important to know all the signs. Anorexia and bulimia affect one's health, both mentally and physically. A sign that someone's mental health is being affected by anorexia or bulimia is their social behavior. A quick change in friends or family members that a person usually associates with is a sign that social behavior is changing. This may be because he/she does not want others to see or catch onto his/hers eating habits. Another sign that someone's social behavior changing is isolating themselves in a room or home, and not having contact with others they would on a normal basis. About 50% of all anorexia and bulimia sufferers have a mental anxiety disorder, such as depression. People with depression and anorexia or bulimia, may suffer from moodiness, increased irritability, loss of interest in food or sex, being awake throughout the night, and fatigue. Physical health is probably the most distinguishable sign of an eating disorder. Anorexia sufferers...
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...How do you obtain an eating disorder? Have you ever had one? Some eating disorders are fatal others are not as treacherous. For the most part, eating disorders have not been a tremendous topic. As a nation we have become insensible about eating disorders. This widespread amount of disorders is not talked about as ample as they used to be. If anything eating disorders have become extremely stereotypical to people in the United States. People assume that only models or “goth teens” have anorexia or obese people only have bulimia, but is that really the case? Anyone can be vulnerable to any type of eating disorder. There are countless types of these such disorders. “Ten of 15 Americans suffer from some type of serious eating disorder” (mirosol)....
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...preoccupation with one’s weight, why is it that only certain individuals develop an eating disorder? Socio-cultural influences have 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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