Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too
Janessa Kongable
Abnormal Psychology
July 8, 2015
Abstract
Eating disorders are complex, challenging, and sometimes life-threatening psychiatric illnesses. There are specific diagnostic criteria and symptoms a person must exhibit in order to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia. These symptoms primarily relate to a disturbance in eating pattern, weight loss, an intense fear of being fat, and a disturbed body image. The etiology of eating disorders is not clearly understood, but psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors need to be considered. The treatment approach for anorexia nervosa and bulimia is also challenging and can present with serious medical complications and potentially death if not properly addressed. Recovery is possible, and the case study of Jenni Schaefer, who suffered from anorexia nervosa, binge-purge subtype since her childhood is presented to share this message of hope. More research is needed to help further understand the characteristics, cause, and treatment of eating disorders.
Introduction
An eating disorder is one of the most life-threatening and complicated psychiatric diagnosis there is in mental health care (Nevid, Rathus, and Greene, 2014). One would think the treatment would be simple, “just eat, and things will be better.” However, the recovery process is much more complex and challenging. The book,
There are many different psychological illnesses in the world, each with different causes. While eating is an key function of life, some people may be doing harm to their body with their eating habits. Eating disorders occur when a person has a bad relationship with food and can be deadly. The book Elena Vanishing, by Elena Dunkle and Clare B. Dunkle, gives a better understanding of the background of eating disorders and many reviewers are impacted by the book’s vital message.
Eating disorders are a constant battle for those who have them. Eating disorders do not go away fully but will go into remission. Even while in remission, moments of stress or insecurity, the craving can become prevalent quickly once again. Martin made a serious mistake when she decided that she was going to expose herself to the adverse, harmful stimuli of the
In most if not all professions, there are moral and ethical codes that must be followed. It is done so in order to maintain a level of professionalism, protection for the consumer of the services, and representation for the profession. Mental Health counselors have code of ethics which they go by as well to establish a universal standard of expectation and delivery. No matter the type of client you are helping, there are universal ethic codes that must be followed. Ethical Issues in Eating Disorders Treatment: Four Illustrative Scenarios is a series of articles that discusses four of the ethical practices that must and should be used by counselors. Even though the article is using scenarios dealing with eating disorders, the ethics that the
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
Eating disorders affect millions of men and women every day. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are three main types of eating disorders that can have detrimental consequences on the human body. These eating disorders not only deteriorate one’s body, but also eradicate the mind. “Inherent to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are a plethora of medical complications which correlate with the severity of weight loss or the frequency and mode of purging” (Mehler, 2015).
Though my experiences with an eating disorder are short-lived compared to others’, the reminders and repercussions remain. Habitual purging, bingeing, or restricting food triggers rapid weight loss and instantaneously throws the body’s cyclical operations into chaos: blood pressure increases, nails and hair chip and fall out, tooth enamel erodes and cavities become a normal diagnosis, the brain functions at a lower level everyday, and the risk of dying from an everyday cold rises exponentially. It is a humiliating disorder that leaves nothing for anybody in the end; it is grotesque and dramatic,
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.
The educational event is Eating Disorder Treatment Panel that was organized by J.A.D.E, Marilyn Magaram Center, and SDFSA. The presenters are Mor Volner (RDN, MS, IBCLC), John Siritaranukul (MS, RD), and Heidi Favia (MA, MFT Intern). The presentation is about several aspects of eating disorders for both RD and MFT. RD’s talked about their role in eating disorder, which they teach their clients about general education and intuitive on eating. RD also described how meal plans works in their facilities, for example food exchange program: switch out 1 kinds of food each meal for carb, starch, etc., wanted them to listen to their internal feeling, and teach them what amount of food is enough. RD also help client clear their mind to help them nourished
This issue needs to be addressed because eight million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. That statistic means that each person who suffers from an eating disorder has changed mentally and physically. From a mental perspective, the person has a difficult time focusing and controlling their emotions. A person also feels unmotivated and feels no interest in any activity. Their attitudes change and most likely become depressed. Once a person’s mood changes, family members and friends take a stance and are guaranteed to get that person some help from professionals. Physical
In many communities through-out the nation, individuals who are living with eating disorders is at an all time high. Although there are many resources available to aid individuals battling this disease research states many don’t seek out the help. Some resources might include individual therapy, group therapy as well as family therapy. Having an eating disorder can affect an individual both mentally and physically and require in most cases a team of trained professions to tackle the
Lock, James. “Treatment of Adolescent Eating Disorders: Progress and Challenges.” Publish Medical Central (2011).NCBI.Web. 20 Apr. 2011. Lock believes that although eating disorders are common psychiatric disorders that they usually onset during adolescence. His research enforces the idea that family therapy is commonly clinically employed for Adolescents. Treatment aims to identify and help the family modify accommodations. Lock argues that eating disorders are either drawn out by “indulgent eating” or “vital eating” which determines obesity or anorexia. Some progress has been made in the last decade generating systematic evidence about effective treatments for adolescents are limited with very few statistics. Lock argues that the substantial
While I want to help active individuals and athletes excel in their prospective activities, I also plan to provide individuals recovering from eating disorders with the resources needed to have a successful recovery. Many people try to better their lives by improving their diets but their good intentions mixed with erroneous information found on the internet lead them towards binge – restriction pattered eating. I myself found myself believing I needed fewer and fewer calories to survive and almost killed myself in the process of getting
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.
Eating disorders are a serious issue people face in our society. A study put on the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, Involved 9,282 individuals. In this study, they resulted in 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men are suffering from anorexia nervosa,1.5% of women and 0.5%of men are suffering from bulimia, and 3.5% of women and 2.0% of men are suffering from binge eating. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating all differentiate but are detrimental to bodily functions. In which case there are certain classifications that qualify them as degrading bodily health.
Eating disorders can be defined as a definite disturbance of eating habits or weight-control behavior. Eating disorders are one of the significant cause of physical and psychosocial morbidity in both men and women, especially in teen age girls or young women, while much less for men. Eating disorders can be put into three diagnostic classes: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and atypical eating disorders. These three types of eating disorders are closely related to each other, and patients can often move between them. There is also binge eating disorder, which is of a different nature to the other three types and will be discussed separately. The causes of eating disorder is rather complicated and very poorly understood. They involve social, psychological, and biological aspects and are difficult to treat. Researches on treatments for eating disorders is mainly focused on bulimia and a form of cognitive behaviour therapy is found to be the most effective treatment.