FREE ESSAY ON ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A DISEASE OF SELF-IMAGE DESTROYING THE BODY

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A DISEASE OF SELF-IMAGE DESTROYING THE BODY

In American society women are given the message starting from a very young age that in
order to be successful and happy, they must be thin. Eating disorders are on the rise, it
is not surprising given the value which society places on being thin. Television and
magazine advertising that show the image of glamorous and thin model are everywhere.
Thousands of teenage girls are starving themselves daily in an effort to attain what the
fashion industry considers to be the "ideal" figure. An average female model weighs 23%
less than the recommended weight for a woman. Maintaining a weight 20% below your
expected body weight fits the criteria for the emotional eating disorder known as
anorexia (Pirke & Ploog, 1984). According to medical weight standards, most models fit
into the category of being anorexic (Garfinkle & Garner, 1990). 
Physicians now believe that anorexia has existed for at least 300 years (Pirke & Ploog,
1984). It was however only about one hundred years ago that Professor Ernest Lasegue of
the University of Paris finally identified anorexia as an illness (Pirke & Ploog, 1984).
The term anorexia nervosa literally means nervous lose of appetite. Most researchers and
physicians agree that the number of patients with this life threatening disease is
increasing at an alarming rate. Garfinkle & Garner define anorexia as "an emotional
disorder characterized by an intense fear of becoming obese, lack of self-esteem and
distorted body image which results in self-induced starvation" (1990). The development of
this disease generally peaks between the age of 14 to 18 but can occur later in life and
is not uncommon to see it in women in to their early 40's. Recent estimates suggest that
1% of American girls between this age span will develop anorexia to some degree
(Garfinkle & Garner, 1990). It has also propagated in many college campuses, and it is
spreading. Studies have shown that nearly 20% of college women may suffer from anorexia
or bulimia (Pirke & Ploog, 1984). The disease develops slowly over a period of months to
years during which the sufferer changes her eating patterns to a very restricted diet. As
stated previously above, an anorexic is diagnosed by having a body weight 20% below the
expected body weight of a healthy person at the same age and height of the eating
disorder patient. The anorexic may often becomes frightened of gaining weight and even of
food itself. The patient may feel fat, even though their body weight is well below the
normal weight for their height. Some may even feel they do not deserve pleasure out of
life and will deprive themselves of situations offering pleasure, including eating. This
fear becomes so difficult to manage that the sufferer will gradually isolate themselves
from other people and social activities. This happens so the sufferer can continue the
exhausting anorexic behaviors. Although the mortality rate is high (30% of anorexics will
eventually die from the disease), approximately one third are able overcome the disease
with psychiatric help (Pirke & Ploog, 1984).
Warning signs to look for in someone you suspect of anorexia. Physical signs are
intolerance of cold due to the absence of the body's natural insulator (fat), dizziness
and fainting spells, dry skin, loss of muscle, and the most obvious, a weight loss of
about fifteen percent. There are also behavioral changes in a person when they becomes
anorexic including restricted food intake, odd food rituals, an increased fear of food,
hyperactivity, dressing in layers, and regular weighing. Some odd food rituals include
things like cutting food into small pieces, counting bites or even talking to their food.
Anorexics are not repelled or revolted by food, in fact their minds are often dominated
by thoughts of food. While the exact cause of anorexia is still unknown, a combination of
psychological, environmental, and physiological factors is associated with the
development of this disorder (Cove, 1998). The most common cause of anorexia in a woman
is an incorrect self-perception of her weight. Anorexics feel as if they are heavier than
the others around them, and believe the quickest way to lose weight is to simply stop
eating. Anorexia survivor Nanett Pearson (Miss Utah 1996) explains "I became obsessed
with body image. I kept journals and in one pathetic passage I described how I went for
sixteen days on water, and only about two glasses a day" (1998). At first, this method
may seem to work and the subject loses weight, but their bodies will soon adjust to the
lack of food it learns to use the energy it receives more efficiently. Ironically,
starvation is a very inefficient way to lose weight. When a person stops eating, their
body goes into an emergency conservation mode burning very small amounts of energy, food
is then stored away as fat until more food is obtained. Another factor contributing to
anorexia is the need to obtain perfection. A perfectionist desires excellence in all
aspects of their life. When they cannot achieve perfection in their endeavors, they
"punish" themselves by restriction or starvation. Anorexics may also desire control over
their lives, including their physical and emotional surroundings. Miss Pearson explains
this "I loved the power I felt in starving myself" (1998). People who fall in to the trap
of anorexia often feel they have a lack of control over their lives and the only thing
they can control is what they eat. They have control over their body and eat exactly what
they want and as little as they want. It is common for an anorexic to feel a "high" from
periods of starvation. Overall, anorexia can have a very "numbing" effect and give its
victims a feeling of power over their own emotions. Deep emotional conflicts can also
contribute to the disease. When a child (or any person) is told that they are fat, ugly
or dumb often enough they begin to believe it. As a woman grows into an adolescent,
comments such as fat, ugly, dumb tend to take greater effect and when she looks in the
mirror she begins to see only what others tell her to see, at fat, ugly, dumb girl. This
image will prevail even when anorexia has brought a persons weight down to the point were
the person is at risk of death.
The effects of anorexia nervosa are severe and sometimes irreversible. It can cause
changes externally, internally, and psychologically. The external changes include
obviously dramatic weight loss but also can include rotting teeth, receding gums, dry
skin, fainting spells, hair loss, and growth of fine body hair on face and back. The
internal changes include loss of menstrual cycle, infertility, headaches, swelling, loss
of bone density, kidney infections, liver damage, constipation, diarrhea, extreme
temperature sensitivity, cramps, poor circulation, dehydration, low blood pressure,
slowed or irregular heart rate, bowel tumors, hypoglycemia, throat infections, and low
blood sugar (Pirke & Ploog, 1984). Psychologically, the anorexic suffers with isolation
from others, mood swings, insomnia, hyperactivity, low self esteem, fatigue, depression,
self-hatred, electrolyte imbalance and loss of sexual desire. 30% of anorexics will
either die from complications due to the eating disorder or commit suicide as a result of
the emotional turmoil caused by anorexia in their lives (Pirke & Ploog, 1984). 
Many support groups and associations are helping the fight against anorexia and other
eating disorders. The Anorexia Bulimia Nervosa Association (ABNA) and the National
Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) are major organizations
in the fight against these disorders. These groups are paving the way for research and
new and better treatments. These groups help in providing family counseling and
psychotherapy. Treatment for anorexia nervosa usually consists of nutritional therapy,
individual psychotherapy, and family counseling. A team made up of pediatricians,
psychiatrists, social workers administers treatment. Some physicians hospitalize anorexia
patients until they are nutritionally stable, while others prefer to work with patients
in a more safe and secure family setting. The most urgent concern of the physician is
getting the patient to eat and gain weight, this is accomplished by gradually adding
calories to the patient's daily intake (Cove, Judy). When hospitalized, privileges are
sometimes granted as a reward in return for gaining weight. Individual psychotherapy is
also necessary in the treatment of anorexia to help the patient understand the disease
process and its effects. Therapy focuses on the patient's relationships with her family,
friends, and the reasons she may have fallen into the trap of anorexia. As a patient
learns more about their condition, they are more often willing to try to help themselves
recover. In treating anorexia nervosa, it is extremely important to remember that
immediate success does not guarantee a permanent cure. Many times, even after successful
hospital treatment and return to normal weight, patients suffer relapses. Follow-up
therapy lasting three to five years is recommended if the patient is to be successfully
treated (Cove 1998).
Finally I have a few words to say. Anorexia Nervosa is a debilitating and cruel disease
that targets hundreds of thousands worldwide and kills thousands each year. If you know
of someone with it or if you just have suspicions please try to get them some help
through one of the many organizations out their. Anorexia nervosa is very treatable. With
earlier detection and a comprehensive treatment plan the successes rates are high.
Anorexia is more treatable then cancer. So I urge you don't wait, act now.
Bibliography
References
Cove, Dr. Judy. (1998). Anorexia Nervosa General Information. Mental Health Net. 
(http://www.cmhc.com) 
Pearson, Nanett. (1998) A Personal Recovery Story: Starving for Attention. Laureate
(http://www.laureate.com/)
Pirke, K.M., & Ploog, D. (Eds.). (1984) The Psychobiology of Anorexia Nervosa. New York:
Springer-Verlag.
Thompson, Colleen. (1996). Society and Eating Disorders. Mirror Mirror. 
(http://www.mirror-mirror.org/) 
Garfinkle, P. E., & Garner, M. (1990). Anorexia Nervosa: A multi-dimensional perspective.
New York: Guilford Press.