Anorexia Nervosa

#24 Unit 2- Abnormal psychology

What is it?

An eating disorder and psychological disorder that occurs when someone has extreme dietary habits to prevent weight gain.

Why does it happen? No definite cause, but there are possible

causes Starts when a person is trying to lose a

significant amount of weight. After a while they realize they have control Weight loss becomes secondary Genetics may play a role Dysfunction in hypothalamus may be a cause

What happens with anorexia?

A person continues with restrictive eating Over exercise Over use diet pills to feel a loss of

appetite May abuse other substances like

laxatives, diuretics, or anemia's“You’ll be dead before you’re thin enough.”

Statistics

95% of people suffering from anorexia are female (usually teens)

In the US and other countries with high economic statuses 1 in 100 girls are anorexic

0.5%-3.7% of all women are anorexic at some point in their lives

And only 0.3% of all men suffer

Criteria for diagnosis

Intense fear of weight gain (even though individual is underweight)

Women miss their period 3 times in a row until hormones administrated

Refuse to maintain a healthy weight for age and height

Weight loss that is not acknowledged (denial)

Example From a Parent’s Point of View

Case study of a 9 ½ year old girl She began by asking her parents if she

was fat Then rejected junk food Began loosing weight Pediatrician thought it was a phase Eventually ended up in the hospital for 3

weeks Now “live from meal to meal” and have

a team of health professionals to help

Pro-ana Websites first made in 2001 to give tips to

others to become or continue with anorexia

“Ana-diets”“Becoming anorexic requires years of obsessive and destructive thinking. Anorexia demands absolute, single-minded attention. Do you hate yourself, feel ashamed, embarrassed, guilty, dirty and anxious? If you don’t you will soon.”

Sources "Medscape: Medscape Access." Medscape: Medscape

Access. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/912187-overview>.

"Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms, Signs, Statistics, Treatment, Causes and Diagnosis by MedicineNet.com." Reliable and Relevant Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors - MedicineNet.com. Web. 04 May 2011. <http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm>.

"ANOREXIA: Warning to Parents, My Pre-adolescent Daughter Developed Anorexia after Seeing It on a Television Program." Angelfire: Welcome to Angelfire. Web. 22 May 2011. <http://www.angelfire.com/mi/anorexia/>.