Eating Disorders : Anorexia Nervosa

It is largely known that environmental factors correlate with the existence of eating disorders. For example, bullying and skeptical comments is the cause of eating disorders. Anything that has to do with pressure from one person to another to look or feel a certain way is an enormous impact (What Causes Eating Disorders?, 2017, p. 4). Any person who is severely underweight or obese is at a higher risk for being bullied. This is when the skeptical comments come into play, especially from loved ones. The media has an even bigger impact on those who struggle with weight issues and body image. Magazines sitting in the checkout lines or commercials that portray unrealistic expectations for men and women of the “perfect” body have a deeper effect on one’s self esteem.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating as well as by self-induced vomiting and/or laxative abuse (Mitchell, 1986). Episodes of overeating typically alternate with attempts to diet, although the eating habits of bulimics and their methods of weight control vary (Fairburn et al., 1986). The majority of bulimics have a body weight within the normal range for their height, build, and age, and yet possess intense and prominent concerns about their shape and weight (Fairburn et al., 1986). Individuals with bulimia nervosa are aware that they have an eating problem, and therefore are often eager to receive help. The most common approach to

Since the 1950s the cases of eating disorders have been increasing, especially in westernized countries (Wade, Keski-Rahkonen, & Hudson, 2011). 1950 was the year where having curves was accepted, but this view changed when societal culture started to become more important to the average person. Culture is comprised of how people think, behave, and work in a particular society (Merriam-webster’s collegiate dictionary, 2015). Societal culture is comprised of athletic influence, media, and the fashion industry. All of the societal culture factors are responsible for the rise of eating disorders in young adults. In 2011, it was found that 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from eating disorders at some point in their lives (Wade et. al, 2011). Eating disorders are not always considered an important mental illness, but due to the high number of cases they should be because they can lead to health problems including slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and severe dehydration. These side effects can lead to death if not treated properly which is why eating disorders should be looked at as a clinical disease.

Eating disorders take the lives of millions of teenagers and adults each year, recently becoming the highest mortality rate of any mental illness – but why? Choosing not to eat appears to be a problem with an obvious solution; how could so many Americans be suffering from something that could easily be avoided? The answer is simple — eating disorders are not weight-loss plans gone wrong; they are serious illnesses that pose great health risks. Simply skipping meals does not begin to describe the different aspects of this disease. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and binge eating are only a few of the many types of eating disorders that effect millions of individuals each year. In most cases, the victims of these illnesses have extremely low self-confidence and view themselves as overweight, regardless of their actual size. Researchers and scientists have gathered different statistics on the causes of abnormal eating habits. While there is no obvious or direct motive, these dietary issues can be the result of

There is a stigma against people who have eating disorders. If they eat too much, they have no self control. If they eat too little, they are neurotic and controlling. The stigma of being labelled with the words “Eating-Disorder” has silenced an uncountable number of people who need help but have been able to convince themselves that it’s “Not that bad.”

The media’s false portrayal of body image has a great influence on the development of eating disorders. There are three types of eating disorders; anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. Eating disorders are major issues in today’s society. Instead of people using the media to influence good eating habits, they use it to influence bad eating habits. The numbers of people who have an eating disorder are rising at an alarming rate. It affects not only women, but also men, teens, and young children of all ages. It is not surprising that the number of young children who have an eating disorder is increasing each year. This is an issue that people do not take seriously. The media gets the attention to continue to

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of the distortion on one’s body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight. It involves binge eating which is the rapid ingesting of large amounts of food, commonly followed by vomiting, fasting, or purging that is accompanied by depression. An individual with bulimia will attempt to avoid weight gain by vomiting or using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. It is common to see a bulimic individual restrict their food intake or exercise excessively. The collective notion of a bulimic is that their self-worth and self-evaluation is strongly influenced by their weight or body shape. This disorder is not only mentally damaging but also takes a physical toll on the body. The physical

Many of today’s adolescents are constantly worried about how they look and feel self-conscious or uncomfortable if they don’t feel that people like what they reflect. Unfortunately, for a number of kids and teens, that concern can lead to an obsession that can become an eating disorder. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa cause dramatic weight fluctuation, interfere with normal daily life, and can permanently affect their health. Because these kids don’t feel comfortable with their bodies they try their hardest to not gain weight. A combination of psychological, genetic, social, and family factors are thought to be involved. Eating disorders can start with getting bullied and feeling self-conscious about yourself. You

An eating disorder does not have one main causative factor. There are many psychological, interpersonal, and social factors involved. Poor self-esteem, feelings of imperfection and depression contribute to the psychological factors. Interpersonal factors include problems with expressing emotions and feelings. Contributing social factors like media or peer pressure to be thin or have an unrealistic body image also add to this illness. Neumark-Sztainer reports, “Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives” (2005). This statistic shows alarming amounts of adolescents are affected by eating disorders. Awareness of this mental disorder is increasing, inducing American schools to address this specific illness among its students. Even though the disease is not recent, and dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, it is now explored to a much higher level than in the past. Researchers are finding that eating disorders not only affect the physical health of students, but also affect their daily lives and activities. It removes them from the usual social functions and disconnects them from their family and peers. This mental disorder weakens the student’s focus and concentration and impairs the adolescent’s ability to perform and achieve

“eating disorders are a significant mortality and morbidity in young people in modern industrialised societies.

The definition and categorization of bulimia nervosa (BN) are addressed in the beginning of the paper. As there are many medical concerns that influence and accompany treatment, a brief overview of these concerns is provided. Next, the focus shifts to the population most affected by the disorder and risk factors for development of BN. A discussion of co-occurring disorders follows due to the fact that BN sufferers often experience one or more co-occurring disorders or differential diagnoses that may further complicate a clinician’s plan for treatment.

This event was a presentation hosted by the NDSU Counseling Center. The two speakers were graduate students, Valerie Douglas and Maegan Jones. The presentation including an overview of the different types of eating disorders, information on who can and is at the most risk to develop an eating disorder, and the most common reasons people develop eating disorders.

An eating disorder often times develops from societal and environmental influences. As of today society has adopted specific physical expectations for men and women. Media often emphasises that women who are petite, tall, and then are beautiful; men who are tall, muscular, but lean are handsome. Society pressures average-weight individuals to become more slender. Magazines, television, mobile applications, and fashion all influences individual’s how someone “should” look like to be appealing.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013) bulimia nervosa is when a person has repeatedly binged when eating. During the binge phase, the person will have very little control over their actions and consume large amounts of food in a short period of time. Typically a person battling with bulimia will exhibit inappropriate behaviors to refrain from gaining weight by exercising excessively, using laxatives, vomiting, taking medications, diuretics, and fasting. It is required that the person continue these behaviors for at least once a week for three months, and there is a major

A very conspicuous difference between Anorexics’ and Bulimics’ discernment of food exist. An example is that and anorexic would label food as “good” and “bad”. This limitation of their food clearly means that they are “at the helm” of their life. Guilt, to most people suffering with an eating disorder, is incomprehensible, whereas the guilt of an anorexic is so intense that they see danger as a product of eating. Although individuals with Bulimia Nervosa view food the same way, they bear differing mental processes. Bulimics consider food to be a method of filling gaps emotionally and so they binge eat. Binge eating