Anorexia Nervosa By: Janie VazquezPeriod 1 Ms. Marsh April 18,2012

Definition: Literally means

“without Appetite”

Eating disorder that is characterized when a person refuses to eat constantly leading to dangerous low body weight

Associated Features Four symptoms:

1. Refuse or are unable to maintain normal weight 2. Intense fear of gaining weight 3. They have a distorted perception4. Miss three menstrual cycles in a row(beyond

puberty)

Two subtypes of Anorexia Restricting type Behaviors

Abuse laxatives and diet pills A desire to exercise and they do it many times

Binge eating/ purging type behaviors They overeat and then get rid of it by forcing

themselves to vomit

DSM- IV- TR criteria Characterized by a refusal to maintain a

minimally normal body weight Diagnostic Criteria

refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height

intense fear in gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight

Disturbance in the way in which 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

Continuation In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, the absence of

at least three consecutive (continuous) menstrual cycles Subtypes

Restricting type: weight loss in accomplished through dieting, fasting,

or excessive exercise Not regularly engaged in binge eating or purging

Binge Eating/ Purging Type : Eat a lot in a short period of time and then get rid of it

through self- induced vomiting , misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

Abnormalities

Starvation: menstrual disturbance Muscular weakness Dry and cracking skin Slowed heartbeat Yellowing of the skin

Vomiting:• Scarring of hand skin

from contact with teeth• Dental enamel erosion

Etiology(Theories) There is no real cure for anorexia. (Tracey Gold) Psychological Perspective

develops in young people who has a very troubling life and pain. They become obsessed with bodily issues, often turning to food for feelings of comfort.

Some women have a history… Some become trapped in a cycle of dieting and

weight loss

Theories Cognitive Factors

They avoid problems rather than solving them Food = Emotional Comfort Have difficulties forming their identity They want to assert their independence from

a overly family Develop abnormal eating patterns to separate

from parents

Biological Perspective Abnormalities in possible genetic links

have abnormalities in serotonin Regulation of feelings of hunger or

satiety(fullness) Lack of serotonin = feelings of hunger

(leads to binge) Excess of serotonin = feelings of fullness

(leads to anorexia)

Other factors Media images idealize extremely thin bodies in

celebrities Society encourages dieting Relationships between image, dissatisfaction,

and social anxiety serves as the basis of eating disorders.

History of childhood obesity…

Prevalence Ranges from a low .05 % to a high 3.7% in women.

Eating disorders still afflicted one in five women in

a study after 10 years.

Epidemic among adolescent females

Vulnerable group are girls between 15-24

White women are affected more than black women

Types of Treatment Psychotherapy:

Includes individual, group, and family based therapy

Support Groups: provide advice and prepare them for therapy

Medication: deals with persons who have depression

Hospitalization provides a safe environment

References CNN Health . (2005). Anorexia Nervosa. Retrieved from http://

www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/anorexia/DS00606.html Halgin, R.P.& Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical

perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

  Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16721169

Medline Plus . (1997-2012). Anorxeia nervosa. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000362.htm

Medscape. (2004). Prevalence of eating disorders: results. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/487413_3

Slowik, G. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa: what are the treatments for anorexia nervosa?. Retrieved from http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-are-treatments-anorexia-nervosa

Discussion Questions:

How do you think the family may feel when they find out their family member has anorexia?

What can you do if you suspect if a person has anorexia nervosa?