The Effectiveness of Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia

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.

In “Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: The Development of Deviant Identities", which was published in 1987, the researchers utilized the labeling theory in their study on anorexics and bulimic victims. The current appearance norms in society demand thinness for women and muscularity in men. Social and Individual factors were considered in the studies which were conducted by the authors, Penelope A. McLorg and Diane E. Taub. Advertising has become the primary agent of socialization which promotes the slimness of both genders in our society. The researchers noted conformity in the behavior of the anorexics' and bulimics' families tend to conform to the norms by making close relations. In the study, the researchers found that parent’s opinions on

Both methods have been proven to be significantly effective in reducing the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Although immediate reduction of bulimic symptoms is beneficial to the patient, it is not indicative of recovery. For this reason, my analysis will consider the long-term outcome effects for each treatment method. My findings will influence which method I will recommend for the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Thesis Statement: It is important to understand eating disorders and the types of eating disorders to overcome them and seek the proper treatment.

Mental health professionals recognize that Family Systems Therapy (FT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have had successes as a treatment methodology for individuals who develop eating disorders (Jones, Volker, Lock, Taylor, and Jacobi, 2012; Park, Waller, and Gannon, 2013). In this paper, I compare and contrast an individual approach involving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a family systems approach. Definitions and descriptions of studies involving both approaches will be provided, and a comparison will be made. Finally, a discussion of the ethics of both studies will be discussed.

This paper will talk about some of the things that people with eating disorders go through in their daily lives and give a general description of what exactly an eating disorder is and why it is important. Schwitzer Alan M., Bergholz Kim, Dore Terri, and Salimi Lamieh all talk about a few things that they did in order to prevent eating disorders among college woman as well as some of the treatment methods and preventative measure someone can take in order to prevent something like this from happening again. It will also talk about something called the “three-legged stool” which was created by Sackett et al. in 1996. The “three-legged stool” is a treatment method for eating disorders which considers research evidence, patient preference and values, and clinical expertise. There will also be some evidence included to explain why those three things are important in treating eating disorders. Carol B. Peterson, Carolyn Black Becker, Janet Treasure, Roz Shafran, and Rachel Bryant-Waugh all mention how these things will help optimize treatment of eating disorders because patients won’t be forced into doing something that they don’t enjoy in order to overcome their eating disorder. The last thing that will be talked about is a case study conducted by Joanna Steinglass, Karin Foerde, Katrina Kostro, Daphna Shohamy, and Timothy Walsh. This case study attempts to develop a new paradigm

In my research, I explored the world of eating disorders. I wanted to see if there was anything specifically encouraging eating disorders and if there was a way to stop it. Eating disorders affect the community greatly because often times, they go unchecked or unrecognized. As a recovered anorexic, I feel it’s very important to address this issue. It’s a very big problem that is often not addressed at all, or is seen as normal, like counting calories. I hoped to find a way to improve the way that eating disorders are viewed and explain to people about what defines an eating disorder, because many people will never know if it is not explicitly explained to them. My study’s purpose is to bring light into the dark world of eating disorders

After reading the two studies by Serpell from 1999 and 2002, as well as watching the movie Dying to be Thin, I have several opinions about the people diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). In addition, I understand where certain types of therapy and practices could be introduced to help change the thought process of these individuals.

From an objective point of view, my physical health was crumbling before my eyes. From a subjective point of view in my very disordered mind, I was completely fine. I have lost to, fought against, rose up from, and recovered from an eating disorder. I was able to solve this majorly risky problem. At age sixteen my self-esteem was extremely low and my weight was at an all-time high. A doctor would say I was healthy for my age; however, my insecurities would not let me see it. The desire to lose weight was so strong I began the dark path down the road of bulimia. At age sixteen, I was aware that I had an eating disorder and it was not until two years later that I would seek treatment for it.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of self-regulated food restriction in which the person strives for thinness and also involves distortion of the way the person sees his or her own body. An anorexic person weighs less than 85% of their ideal body weight. The prevalence of eating disorders is between .5-1% of women aged 15-40 and about 1/20 of this number occurs in men. Anorexia affects all aspects of an affected person's life including emotional health, physical health, and relationships with others (Shekter-Wolfson et al 5-6). A study completed in 1996 showed that anorexics also tend to possess traits that are obsessive in nature and carry heavy emotional

The drug Topiramate is a sulfamate-substituted derivative from the monosaccharide D-fructose that is known for its anticonvulsant and antimigraine actions.1 Therefore, it is helpful for patients with seizures and migranes. Epilepsy is a specific example of what this drug is used to treat. Topiramate is different from other antiepileptic drugs because it is thought to block the spreading of seizures instead of lowering the threshold like other antiepilepsy drugs. 2 Although the exact mechanism that Topirmate cannot be identified, it is currently being observed from biochemical studies. Scientist have observed that the drug blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, augments the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, antagonizes the AMPA/kainite subtype of glutamate receptor, and inhibits carbonic anhydrase. 1 Should this medicine be used to treat bulimia nervosa? Bulima nervousa is a disease that causes patients to engulf large amounts of food in a short amount of time, which then causes them to take action by purging or taking laxitives to get rid of the large sum of food they consumed. 3

Fairborn (2005) points out that there is a range of treatment options and a variety of treatment settings for anorexia nervosa, however there is inadequate empirical support for this abundance of options as what minimal research on the treatment has been inconclusive. One reasoning behind this is that anorexia nervosa has been an uncommon disorder and sample sizes for studies have been low. Furthermore, the lack of evidence based treatment research can be attributed to the individual’s avoidance of treatment and dropping out of treatment. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa are unwilling to change as their identity and self-worth are intertwined with their distorted body image; they tend to deny that anything is wrong with their weight and are ambivalent on changing (Abbate-Daga, Amianto, Delsedime, De-Bacco & Fassino,

People suffering from eating disorders cannot solely help themselves. Although they may be able to stop for a short time, in the long run they will be back in the same path of self-destruction. Kirkpatrick & Caldwell (2001) state, "Because eating disorders are a complicated mix of physical and psychological abnormalities, successful treatment always includes treatment of psychological issues as well as restoration of a healthy diet" (p. 131). Trained therapists should treat eating disorders. The severity of the disorders will determine the need for outpatient therapy or an in-hospital program (Matthews, 2001, p. 178). There are many goals of therapy but the return to normalcy is the main goal. The eating disorder sufferer needs to restore and maintain a normal weight as well as develop normal eating and exercise routines. Kirkpatrick and Caldwell (2001) state,

Eating disorders are extremely harmful and rising in prevalence. . The two most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. In this essay, I will compare and contrast these two disorders. This essay will also assess the symptoms, causes, health affects and the most prevalent characteristics of people diagnosed with these two eating disorders.

This researched argument is on the disorder of bulimia nervosa. The reason behind my writing about the topic of bulimia is because my sister suffers from it and I want to know how to help her. I also would like to be able to share the information I obtained while doing my research. I want to argue the importance of having both psychotherapy and medication in the treatment for the people afflicted with this serious health disorder. Society needs to be altered by the media and educated about the disorders of bulimia and other disorders that are associated with eating problems. Hopefully my essay will inform you about the health dangers and complications