Anorexia Nervosa Research

Incidences of Anorexia Nervosa have appeared to increase sharply in the USA, UK and western European countries since the beginning of the 60s (Gordon, 2001). The increasing prevalence of the disease has led the World Health Organisation to declare eating disorders a global priority area within adolescent mental health (Becker et al. 2011). Anorexia has in many ways become a modern epidemic (Gordon, 2000) and with a mortality rate of 10% per decade (Gorwood et al. 2003), the highest of any mental disorder (Bulik et al. 2006), it is an epidemic that social and biological scientists have been working tirelessly to understand.

Three Eating Disorders that will be discussed throughout the rest of this review will include, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. The DSM_IV_TR describes the conditions under which these three eating disorders are characterized. Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious illness with severe implications in regards to health. It is classified by the DSM-IV-TR as weighing less than the third percentile for body mass index for ones age and sex, fearing weight gain, having a disturbed perception of body image and on hormonal contraception or the absence of menstruation (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Bulimia Nervosa is a second eating disorder described by the

The three nationally recognized eating disorders are identified as Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder. Eating disorders, although stereotypically viewed as a lifestyle choice, is a serious and often fatal illness that not only cause severe eating disturbances, but adverse psychological and physiological environments for the individual (National Institute of Mental Health, 2006). These disorders typically develop in the mid-to-late teen years and often carry out into early adulthood albeit also existing in late adulthood (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2004). Treatment for this class of disorder can range from various perspectives, current methodologies for binge-eating disorder point to cognitive therapies and pharmacotherapy (Reas & Grilo, 2014).

Anorexia Nervosa, a DSM-5 diagnosis, is characterized by energy restriction leading to a significantly low body weight, in addition to psychological comorbidities involving anxiety, depression, fear of weight gain, body image disturbances, and lack of recognition of the seriousness of the disease and low body weight. Even though this disease has a lifetime prevalence of 1-2.3%, with an average mortality rate of 5-10%, current research on an initial, gold standard anorexia nervosa treatment is scarce (2-4,7). Treatment choice is currently based on

In 1987 The American Psychiatric Association, provided a list of signs and symptoms that may indicate anorexia nervosa, these include the refusal to maintain the normal body weight, feeling disturbed by body image, and the absence of three menstrual cycles in females. (Phelps & Bajorek, 1991). Other symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa according to Medline Plus are exercising all the time, the refusal to eat in front of other people, loss of bone strength, depression, and extreme sensitivity to cold (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia,

AN (Anorexia Nervosa) is the most visible eating disorder, is a serious psychiatric illness characterized by an inability to maintain a normal healthy body weight or, in individuals who are still growing, despite increasing weight loss and frank emancipation, individuals with AN strive for additional weight loss, see themselves as fat even when they are severely underweight, and often engaged in unhealthy weight loss behaviors (e.g. purging, dieting, excessive exercise, and fasting). (Bulk, Trace, Kleiman and Mazzeo, 2014). AN not only has harmful physical side effects but has psychological impacts as well. According to Serpell, Treasure, Teasdale and Sullivan (1998), one of the most interesting features of anorexia nervosa which sets it apart from many other conditions is highly valued in nature of anorexic symptoms.

Eating disorders anorexia and bulimia have many overlapping, complex factors. Treatment often involved psychotherapy such as CBT, but bulimia can also be medicated with SRIs. However, leaving eating disorders untreated can come with consequences. Research by Steinhausen (2009) found that individuals with anorexia have a mortality rate that is 18 times higher than their peers who do not. This essay aims to compare and contrast a treatment for each disorder, beginning with DSM 5 definition of each and it’s diagnosis criteria.

The treatment process for anorexia is much more complex and intricate then that of bulimia’s. “The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is helping the person recognize that they have an illness. Most people with anorexia deny that they have an eating disorder. They often seek treatment only when their condition is serious” (1). With treating anorexia nervosa, the main goals are to regain normal eating habits and gain the healthy weight needed for the person’s height and age. According to Medlineplus, “Different programs have been designed to treat anorexia. These may include... increasing social activity, reducing the amount of physical activity, and using schedules for eating” (1). The person may also have to stay in the hospital for a few days and follow it up with a treatment program. Sometimes a hospital stay is longer than anticipated if, the person has lost around 70% of their recommended body weight, weight loss continues even after starting treatment, medical complications (heart problems, confusion, or low potassium levels, and suffers from severe depression or thoughts of suicide (1). There are also talk therapies provided to people with anorexia such as, cognitive therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. The goals of talk therapy is to change the beliefs of the person with the disorder and encourage them to eat in a healthier way. The last thing used is

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders 5th edition defines anorexia nervosa as an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss; it is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder. According to the DSM 5, the typical diagnostic symptoms of anorexia nervosa are: dramatic weight loss leading to significant low body weight for the individuals age, sex, and health; preoccupation with weight; restriction of food, calories and fat; constant dieting; feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss and fear about gaining weight or being “fat.” Many individuals with anorexia nervosa deny feeling hungry and often avoid eating meals with others, resulting in withdrawal from usual friends and activities

Anorexia is not an uncommon disorder, in fact, it is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in young women. About ninety to ninety-five of anorexia nervosa sufferers are women, and it usually appears in adolescence. Although this is not an uncommon disease, not many people are diagnosed with it. Between one-half and one percent of women in America are diagnosed with this disorder. This is a lethal disorder, and between five and twenty percent of people will die from anorexia nervosa each year; it is one of the leading death causes of mental health

Anorexia nervosa usually begins to develop during one’s adolescence or young adulthood, in which it could be associated with a life-changing event, such as leaving home for college (American Psychiatric Association, pp. 341, 2013). Differences between younger and older individuals with the disorder include younger individuals exhibiting atypical features, such as denying the “fear of fat”, while older individuals are more likely to experience symptoms and signs of a long-standing disorder, even though courses and outcomes are highly variable (American Psychiatric Association, pp.341-342, 2013).

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa affect millions of people each year in the United States (1). Popular thought holds that these disorders are caused by women trying to fulfill a culturally imposed ideal body image which stresses thinness. As anorexia and bulimia have proven difficult to treat solely with a psychological-based treatment plan it is likely that there are many factors contributing to these disorders. Research has shown, however, that there is a significant biological component which leads to a manifestation of these disorders (2). Current ideas on the biological origins of anorexia and bulimia will be explored in this paper. These include areas ranging from

How many of you have ever battled an eating disorder or known someone with an eating disorder? One or two of every 100 students will struggle or have struggled with an eating disorder. An anonymous quote from someone who struggled an eating disorder once said “Nothing matters when I’m thin”. Anyone of us in this room is at risk of an eating disorder. Females have to maintain that ‘normal’ look to fit in with society. More guys are seeking help for eating disorders as well. Guys with eating disorders tend to focus more on athletic appearance or success than just on looking thin. I’m going to inform you today about anorexia; what it is, signs, causes, effects, and possible treatments to help it.

Approximately 95% of anorexics are female. Usually young women are concerned about the way their bodies look and some might purposely starve themselves because of social pressure to be thin. Teens are faced with feelings of uncertainty and anxiety and want to fit in and be popular. Although anorexia is most common in teens, young children and adults also suffer from this eating disorder. Occupations that involve having a certain body type such as athletes, models, ballet dancers and actors are also at a greater risk of developing anorexia.

After discussing the criteria used to establish the presence of an anorexia nervosa disorder, the discussion of prevalence rates of anorexia nervosa is necessary. Eagles et al (1995) conducted a study of the prevalence rates of anorexia nervosa by comparing referral rates of patients. They acknowledge that a number of studies on this subject have been conducted and that the outcomes have been conflicting. Eagles et al (1995) recognize that these conflicting results can be explained by the changes in admissions practices, changes in the frequency of referrals and an increase in public awareness (Eagles et al, 1995, 1266). Studying the incidence of referral rates is necessary in order to determine the prevalence of anorexia nervosa because referral rates are a direct measurement of the number of cases within a given population. The study by Eagles et al (1995) found that referral rates of anorexia nervosa have risen in the past two decades and these rates have a direct influence on prevalence rates. Therefore, the researchers conclude from the increase in the incidence of referral rates and increased public awareness that the prevalence of anorexia nervosa has also risen, but they do not give a prevalence rate. Therefore, the increase in referral rates and increased