Anorexia Nervosa Naturally, almost all human beings are concerned about adding excess weight. However, in some individuals the fear becomes obsessive, resulting in a condition called Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia is an eating disorder that could lead to serious weight-loss. The extreme fear concentrates on bodyweight and the food eaten. Anorexia is serious and possibly debilitating life threatening mental sickness (Lloyd et al. 2014). People with Anorexia have not made a 'lifestyle choice'; they are very sick and need help. The reasons for the onset of Anorexia differ from individual to individual; known causes include previous traumatic experiences, environmental, biological aspects. For some individuals, reducing their weight and food can be a way of managing life areas that feel out of their management and their whole body image can come to determine their entire feeling of self-worth. It can be an expression of feelings related to complications like pain, stress, or anxiety. Limited diets and extreme workout can be contributing aspects to the development of Anorexia. Women with Anorexia may use diets behavior in a bid to accomplish a culturally designed slim ideal whereas men may engage in excessive physical exercises and control what they eat to accomplish a muscular physique. Although Anorexia is more prevalent among women of all age groups, latest studies suggest that the percentage of young men is increasing (Couturier, Kimber, & Szatmari, 2013).

Signs and symptoms

The first signs and symptoms of anorexia can be very challenging to differentiate from normal eating or dieting behavior. Anorexia symptoms may also be disguised, linked to other health issues, or ignored as adverse reactions to prescription medications. However, experts dealing with eating disorders can differentiate symptoms of anorexia from other health issues by determining signs such as:

Anemia is regularly found in anorexic patients. In addition to having reduced red blood cells, individuals with anorexia usually have fewer numbers of white blood cells, which assumes a key role in defending one's whole body from developing infections. A high risk for infection and suppressed immunity are alleged but not tried and clinically tested risks of anorexia (Couturier, Kimber, & Szatmari, 2013).

An impractical picture of body size. Anorexia patients think that they are fat when they are very slim. Although other individuals see the person as underweight or slim, it is very challenging for him to see this. They are likely to have a severe worry of weight gain. They are always determined to do their utmost to avoid excess weight.

Physical signs besides the obvious weight reduction can be seen. Anorexia can cause dry, flaky skin that leads to a yellow tinge. Fine, downy hair develops on the face, back, arms, and legs. Despite this new growth of hair, hair loss on the head is uncommon. Nails can become weak. Frequent vomiting can deteriorate dental enamel and eventually lead to loss of tooth. Those with anorexia might also develop trouble maintaining a constant temperature (Couturier, Kimber, & Szatmari, 2013).

Other features

It is common for anorexia patients to:

i. Vomit privately after meals

ii. Try hard to conceal their slimness - for example, by wearing loose clothes or placing heavy objects in their pouches when their weight is being examined iii. Have a tendency to lie about what they eat and everything to do with meals

iv. Like food and feel hungry. However, it is the repercussions of eating that terrify them.

v. People with anorexia may also become obsessed with what other individuals are consuming.

vi. People with anorexia often limit themselves to certain types of meals. Eating may even become like a habit. For example, each time they eat, they have to cut your foods into very small pieces. They may regularly think about their bodyweight and even weigh themselves most days or even numerous times a day.

Causes of the disorder

Currently, we do not have simple answers to the causes of anorexia and other eating problems. Although the society's idealization of slimness performs a highly effective part, there are many other drivers, such as society environment, biology and traumatic experiences a person could have confronted in the past.

Biology

Hormones and genetics might have an effect on the development of Anorexia. Although it is not yet clear which genes are engaged, there could be genetic alterations that render some people susceptible to developing anorexia. Some individuals may have an inherited propensity toward perfectionism, perseverance, and sensitivity. These characteristics are associated with anorexia. Studies suggest that an inherited predisposition to anorexia may run in a family. If a person has a brother with anorexia, she is 10 to 20 times more likely than the common population to become anorexic herself (Le Grange et al. 2013). Chemistry in the brain also performs a significant part....

Those with anorexia usually have high stages of cortisol, the mind hormone most related to stress, and reduced stages of norepinephrine and serotonin, which are associated with emotions of well-being. Some proof indicates a link between serotonin and anorexia, a brain generated substance.
Environment

Societal pressure to look slim may also promote the development of anorexia. Modern Western lifestyle emphasizes on slimness. The society tends to link success and worth with being slim. Peer pressure may help fuel the wish to be slim, particularly among young females. Pictures on television and publications can greatly influence young females and ignite the wish to be slim (Couturier, Kimber, & Szatmari, 2013).

Psychology

Some psychological features may trigger anorexia. Younger females may have obsessive-compulsive character that makes it easier to adhere to tight diet plans and abandon food despite being hungry for food (Couturier, Kimber, & Szatmari, 2013). They may have an excessive obsession for perfectionism, which causes them to think they are never slim enough. In addition, they may have high stages of stress forcing them to eat in a restrictive manner. Persons suffering from an obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) might be more susceptible to keeping the tight diet and exercise routines. People with OCD have a drive for excellence and may feel like they will never accomplish it (Lloyd et al. 2014).

Treatments for the disorder

A person with Anorexia might need a combination of numerous interventions. Treatment is delivered through team approach including dietitians, mental health providers and medical providers, all experienced in eating disorders. Nutrition education and continuous therapy are crucial to the ongoing recovery.

Medications

While no medicines have been recognized that can for sure decrease the compulsion to starve, risperidone, olanzapine and Seroquel are medicines that are being used to stabilize mood. These medicines may also help improve weight and control some of the emotional signs of depression and anxiety that can go along with anorexia. Some of the particular antidepressant medications, like sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine have been proven beneficial in weight management after weight gain. In addition, they have beneficial impacts on anxiety symptoms and mood, and that may be associated with the disorder.

Psychotherapy

Varied sorts of physiological therapy are implemented to treat individuals with anorexia. Individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy have all been successful in the treatment of anorexia:

Family-based therapy. This is the only evidence-based intervention for younger people with anorexia. The youngster with anorexia is unable to make appropriate decisions concerning food and wellness while under this serious condition. Hence, this therapy mobilizes parents to help their kid with re-feeding and weight recovery until the kid can make excellent decisions about wellness (Le Grange et al. 2013).

Individual therapy. For mature patients, cognitive behavioral intervention like enhanced intellectual and behavioral therapy has proven to be effective. The primary objective is to stabilize eating styles and actions to support excess weight. The second objective is to help change altered thoughts and beliefs that maintain the limited eating. This therapy is done once a week but in some cases, it may be part of therapy in a psychiatric hospital.

Group Therapy. Group therapy enables individuals with anorexia to interact with others who have the same disorder (Le Grange et al. 2013). However, it can sometimes create competition for people to be slimmest among their peers. As a limiting strategy, it is important for a patient attend team therapy that is led by a qualified health care expert.

Effectiveness of these treatments

Family-based treatment is possible when the parents of teenagers with anorexia are involved in eradicating the disordered. It is twice as effective as individual treatment at generating full remission of the disease (Le Grange et al. 2013). This is according to a new research conducted by the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and Lucile Packard Hospital. This is the pioneering head-to-head study comparing interventions for patients suffering from Anorexia.

Family-centered treatment is an intense outpatient program where family members are motivated to play an active part in restoring the anorexic to healthier weight. The interventions were developed by the London-based Maudsley Hospital. It seeks to prevent hospitalization of the Anorexic and instead assist the family members motivate healthy eating behaviors at home. In this strategy, family members are used as change agents in the treatment to try to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. This is achieved through promoting the best resources to take care of the Anorexic. At it heart, it attempts to mobilize family members…