Anorexia: Understanding the Disorder

ANOREXIA

• Psychological disorder: Loss of appetite
• Slimming disease: Voluntary starvation and emaciation
• Low BMI: Characteristic
• Obsessive about weight loss: Sign of achievement and self-discipline
• Weight gain: Loss of self-control
• Usually affects women: Begins in adolescence and early adulthood
• Not about food: Emotional issues
• Definition: Voluntary starvation and emaciation; obsessive about weight loss, viewing it as a measure of achievement and self-discipline.

Anorexic Behavior and Characteristics

• Weight loss: Leading to a loss of 85% of normal weight for the person's age and height
  • Vomiting: Food leaves the body before digestion
  • Laxatives, Diet pills, Starvation, Excessive exercise, Weighing kilojoules
  • Secrecy and denial, Restricted food intake
• Distorted body image:
  • Think they are fat, Wear baggy clothes
  • Intense fear of gaining weight, Refusal to eat
  • Lying about food consumed

Act Differently

• Moody or depressed
• Not sociable
• Refusal to eat
• Irritable
• Lack of emotion
• Hunger denial
• Obsessive about food and weigh themselves continuously

Signs and Symptoms

• Dry, brittle skin and hair; Excessive thinness
• Abnormal blood count; Dizziness and fainting
• Low blood pressure; Irregular heart beat
• Sleeplessness; Fingertips turn blue (sensitivity to cold)
• Fine, downy hair (lanugo) develops on body; Cold feet and hands
• Heart problems; Constipation
• Dental problems; Osteoporosis
• Dehydration; Amenorrhea (missing periods at least three consecutive months)

Biological

• Genetic predisposition: some people may be genetically prone to perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance.
• Serotonin (brain chemical): may play a role in depression

Psychological

• Obsessive-compulsive personality: able to stick to a strict diet and refuse food even when hungry.
• Extreme perfectionism: never believe they are thin enough
• Low self-esteem

Environmental

• Society emphasizes the importance of a thin body
• Media constantly uses thin models/actresses/actors
• Success and self-worth often equated with thinness
• Peer pressure encourages the desire to be thin

Treatment

• Medication (anti-depressants) and a healthy eating plan
• Hospitalization (re-feeding process)
• Counseling (doctors, dieticians, psychologists)
• Therapy sessions (no skipping)
• Support group (EDSA)
• Increase calcium intake (to prevent osteoporosis)

Bulimia Nervosa

• Potentially life-threatening eating disorder
• Repeated episodes of binge eating (large amounts within 2 hours) followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain

Two Ways of Preventing Weight Gain

• Person frequently vomits or misuses laxatives after bingeing
• Person uses other ways of getting rid of calories (e.g., fasting)

Causes of Bulimia

• Dissatisfaction with body image; Low self-esteem
• Obsessive focus on weight and body build; Blaming themselves for faults they perceive in themselves

Symptoms and Behaviors of Bulimia

• Distorted body image (obsession with weight/build)
• Binging (without gaining weight – fear of gaining weight)
• Feeling out of control with respect to eating habits
• Binging (to the point of discomfort or pain)
• Bathroom visits after meals (vomiting: misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas)
• Use of dietary supplements/herbal products for weight loss
• Teeth erosion (acid dissolves enamel)
• Sore throat; swollen salivary glands; Fatigue
• Kidney problems; Oedema (swelling)
• Muscle weakness; Constipation; Headaches (sodium chloride loss)
• Anxiety; Feeling like hiding something (covering up)

Bulimia Treatment

• Assistance from psychologist or psychiatrist
• Replace unhealthy beliefs with positive ones
• Learning behavioral skills to control stress and build relationships
• Help from family members to support the person
• Healthy balanced meals sufficient carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals
• Maintaining a healthy body weight (information)
• Medication (antidepressant) with psychotherapy to reduce symptoms of bulimia

Identifying Binge Eaters

• Feeling eating is out of control
• Eating too much quickly
• Eating until uncomfortable
• Eating even when not hungry

Bulimia Risk Factors

• High blood pressure; Diabetes; high cholesterol; Gall bladder issues; Heart disease; Cancer
• Purging leads to dehydration; Tooth decay; sore throat; broken blood; problems with diuretics; Chronic constipation

Additional Bulimia Information

• Eating alone (secrecy)
• Shame/disgust after binge (self-loathing)
• Feelings of guilt or depression after bingeing

Explore the complex psychological disorder of anorexia, characterized by voluntary starvation and an obsession with weight loss. This quiz covers its symptoms, behaviors, and emotional factors, providing insight into how it predominantly affects young women. Test your knowledge on this critical health issue.