Mental Illness Paper
Joy Noble
12/9/12
HCA/240
Dr. Moore
Anorexia Nervosa
The term "anorexia" literally means absence of appetite. Anorexia can be associated with medical conditions or medications that cause a loss of appetite. Anorexia nervosa, however, involves a psychological aversion to food that leads to a state of starvation and emaciation. In anorexia nervosa, at least 15% to as much as 60% of normal body weight is lost. ("The New York Times", 2012). The patient with anorexia nervosa has an intense fear of gaining weight, even when severely underweight. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted image of their own weight or shape and deny the serious health consequences of their low weight.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by immoderate food restriction and irrational fear of gaining weight, as well as a distorted body self-perception. Anorexia nervosa typically involves excessive weight loss and is usually found more in females than in males. Anorexia nervosa usually develops during adolescence and early adulthood. Due to the fear of gaining weight, people with this disorder restrict the amount of food they consume. This restriction of food intake causes metabolic and hormonal disorders. Some common myths and misconceptions are people with anorexia do not eat, people with anorexia are incurable, and all anorexics are thin or emaciated.
Signs and Symptoms
When a person has anorexia nervosa there are contain signs and symptoms that you may not notice. Mostly because it will look like they are dieting, but the dieting becomes very obsessive. Some symptoms are restricting caloric intake to less than needed to maintain healthy ideal body weight. Following a severely limited diet even if underweight. Forced vomiting or other compensatory behaviors like laxative use, diuretic use or compulsive exercise. Absence of menstrual cycles for three or more consecutive months. Fear of eating in social places or in front of others Increased isolation
12/9/12
HCA/240
Dr. Moore
Anorexia Nervosa
The term "anorexia" literally means absence of appetite. Anorexia can be associated with medical conditions or medications that cause a loss of appetite. Anorexia nervosa, however, involves a psychological aversion to food that leads to a state of starvation and emaciation. In anorexia nervosa, at least 15% to as much as 60% of normal body weight is lost. ("The New York Times", 2012). The patient with anorexia nervosa has an intense fear of gaining weight, even when severely underweight. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted image of their own weight or shape and deny the serious health consequences of their low weight.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by immoderate food restriction and irrational fear of gaining weight, as well as a distorted body self-perception. Anorexia nervosa typically involves excessive weight loss and is usually found more in females than in males. Anorexia nervosa usually develops during adolescence and early adulthood. Due to the fear of gaining weight, people with this disorder restrict the amount of food they consume. This restriction of food intake causes metabolic and hormonal disorders. Some common myths and misconceptions are people with anorexia do not eat, people with anorexia are incurable, and all anorexics are thin or emaciated.
Signs and Symptoms
When a person has anorexia nervosa there are contain signs and symptoms that you may not notice. Mostly because it will look like they are dieting, but the dieting becomes very obsessive. Some symptoms are restricting caloric intake to less than needed to maintain healthy ideal body weight. Following a severely limited diet even if underweight. Forced vomiting or other compensatory behaviors like laxative use, diuretic use or compulsive exercise. Absence of menstrual cycles for three or more consecutive months. Fear of eating in social places or in front of others Increased isolation
References: Eating Disorder Treatment. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.eatingdisorder-institute.com/?tag=neurotransmitters The New York Times. (2012). Retrieved from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/anorexia-nervosa/background.html WebMD. (2005-2012). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/anorexia-nervosa/anorexia-nervosa-exams-and-tests Mark Zelman, Ph.D., Elaine Tompary, PharmD, Jill Raymond, Ph.D., Paul Holdaway, MA, and Mary Lou Mulvihill, Ph.D.. (2010). Mental Illness and Cognitive Disorders. Retrieved from Mark Zelman, Ph.D., Elaine Tompary, PharmD, Jill Raymond, Ph.D., Paul Holdaway, MA, and Mary Lou Mulvihill, Ph.D., website.