Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a chronic illness
that involves an intense fear of fat and gaining weight. Those that
suffer from Anorexia have a distorted image of what their body looks
like, and they either refuse or are unable to maintain a healthy body
weight.
Anorexia is the third most common illness among
pre-teen and teenage girls. The term Anorexia literally means loss of
appetite, but the reality is that teens who suffer from Anorexia are
most often hungry, but they choose to control their appetite, which in
turn gives the sufferer a false feeling of power over their body.
Anorexia is a life threatening disease defined by a
refusal to maintain a body weight within fifteen to twenty percent of a
minimal normal weight. Anorexia is characterized by a preoccupation
with food, self starvation, compulsive exercising; the process of
eating becomes an obsession. The sufferer develops bizarre eating
habits, such as counting out small quantities of food, picking apart
and weighing food, and skipping meals altogether. If left untreated,
Anorexia can be fatal (What is Anorexia?).
In its early stages, the symptoms of Anorexia are
very difficult for friends and family to detect. As the disorder
progresses, parents and friends usually become suspicious as they
notice weight fluctuations, preoccupations with appearance and weight,
and a pattern of avoidance behaviors. The afflicted teen will often
isolate themself, or wear two to three layers of clothing in an attempt
to keep their loved ones from finding out how far the disease has
progressed. Sometimes they will become involved in the abuse of
stimulants, such as ephedrine based diet pills and methamphetamine, all
in an attempt to suppress their appetite and lose more weight. The teen
may consume large amounts of laxatives and exercise to the point of
exhaustion in an attempt to lose the fat they see when they look in the
mirror.
Adolescents with Anorexia have four primary problem areas which include:
• Control
• Argument and debate
• Guilt and shame
• Obsession over appearance and weight
• Secretive behaviors
Symptoms and warning signs of Anorexia Nervosa include the following:
the teenager is typically a perfectionist and achieves above average to
excellent grades in school. At the same time, she suffers from low self
esteem and irrationally believes she is fat, no matter how thin and
emaciated she becomes. Desperately needing a feeling of control over
her life, the teen with Anorexia only feels in control when she
deprives herself of the food her body needs. When she looks in the
mirror she sees herself as fat and in a relentless pursuit to be thin,
the teen starves herself.
Often this reaches a point where there is serious
damage to the internal organs, the teens hair begins to fall out in
clumps, and she experiences irregular heartbeat. These symptoms can
lead to death if not caught in time (Teenagers with Eating Disorders).
In patients with Anorexia, starvation will
eventually damage vital organs, such as the heart and brain. To protect
itself, the body shifts into “slow gear”; monthly menstrual periods
slow down and eventually stop, and blood pressure, pulse and breathing
rates drop. Hair and nails become brittle and the skin dries, yellows,
and becomes covered with soft hair called lanugo. At this stage,
dehydration, excessive thirst, and frequent urination occur. Mild
anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and light-headedness also
commonly occur in people suffering from Anorexia. If the disorder is
allowed to continue and becomes severe, sufferers may lose calcium from
their bones, making them brittle and prone to breaking. In some
patients, the brain shrinks, causing personality changes. Fortunately,
this condition can be reversed when normal weight is reestablished
(Answers to Questions about Teenage Bulimia and
Anorexia).
With specialized and comprehensive treatment, most
teenagers can be greatly helped and learn to control and modify their
eating habits. Treatment for Anorexia usually requires a team approach,
including individual and family therapy, working with a nutritionist
and the primary care physician, and medication. It is also important to
get help for any other medical problems, including anxiety, substance
abuse, and depression.
The general response toward friends and caregivers
who attempt to reason and persuade these kids to eat is often
resistance, avoidance, or defiance, At the same time, the teen will
seem to make efforts at compromise, but in reality they are determined
that no one will stop them from their eating behaviors. This mixed
message produces frustration in friends and family who fail to
understand the inflexible nature of the teen’s obsession (Answers to
Questions about Teenage Bulimia and Anorexia).
Research has shown that early identification and
treatment leads to a more positive outcome for teens suffering from
Anorexia. They must learn how to deal with their unpleasant feelings of
self image and appearance in more positive ways. Teenagers and their
parents need to be educated in order to spot dangerous warning signs of
Anorexia. By educating children and giving them the tools they need,
teens may be able to spot the problem in a friend before it escalates.
At the same time, friends must realize that Anorexia is extremely
dangerous and they should alert counselors and parents immediately
regarding their concerns. Being informed about signs, symptoms, and
causes of Anorexia will give everyone concerned a better understanding
of what to look for and expect (What is Anorexia?).
“Answers to Questions about Teenage Bulimia and Anorexia”
Understanding and Dealing with Bulimia and Anorexia. 2001. 17 Mar. 2005
http://www.crisiscounseling.org/Handouts/BulimiaAnorexia.htm
“Teenagers with Eating Disorders” AACAP-Facts for Families #2. Jul. 2004. 17 Mar. 2005
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/eating.htm
“What is Anorexia?” Muhlenberg.edu. 2001. 17 Mar. 2005
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/biology/faculty/nichole/anorexia.htm
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By:Geizza Posted: Dec 16 2006 08:37:14 AM