Anorexia Nervosa

Essay by cgormley93College, UndergraduateA-, November 2014

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Cristina Gormley

Psychology

Psychological disorders

One mental disorder that is very prevalent today is Anorexia Nervosa. Typically found in young woman, anorexia nervosa is a very serious eating disorder that involves a pattern of self-starvation. Most people with this disorder also suffer from anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression. Due to the depression, many have a high risk of suicide. These days, girls as young as 12 years old, could be suffering from anorexia. Most people with this eating disorder share the same character traits, such as: low self-esteem, feeling helpless, or fear of becoming fat. They also thrive off the approval of others and tend to be perfectionists. Anorexia in guys is rare but not unheard of. However, teenage girls seem to be the main targets. Its said that 90% of people with anorexia are women ages 12-25.

Anorexia Nervosa can be fatal in some cases and causes extreme weight loss defined at least 15 percent below an individual's normal body weight.

Some of the most common symptoms of anorexia are: low body weight, intense fear of becoming obese, grotesque view of ones body (sees themselves as too fat even when extremely underweight), no menstrual cycle for three months (in females), unnecessary exercise, denying hunger, and bizarre eating behaviors. Symptoms that result from starvation and malnourishment may include: dry skin, dehydration, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, lethargy, intolerance to cold temperatures, emaciation, and/or yellow skin. People with anorexia may also be irritable or moody.

The cause of anorexia is still not fully understood. It is thought to develop from a mix of physical, emotional, and social triggers. Things such as extreme dieting change the way your brain and metabolism work and ultimately puts stress on your body which make you more susceptible to develop an eating...