Understanding anorexia nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder with psychological roots. The common characteristics of this disorder are the individuals low body weight, distorted self image, and a fear of gaining any weight at all. An individual diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa will fit one of two categories:
Restricting Type – The individual uses the methods of fasting, starvation, and generally unhealthy eating habits to maintain a low body weight.
Binge-Eating / Purging Type – The individual binge eats then purges themselves of the food through either vomiting or the use of laxatives along with practicing the characteristics of the Restricting Type such as fasting, starvation, and poor diet to maintain a low body weight. The addition of the Restricting Type characteristics is what separates this classification of Anorexia Nervosa from Bulimia.
Causes of anorexia nervosa
Like many other psychological disorders, there is no one clear cause for Anorexia Nervosa. Instead, there are a number of factors that have been traced to the diagnosis of this disorder in a substantial number of individuals. Below is a list of the most common causes of Anorexia Nervosa:
- Clinical Depression
- Genetic Predisposition
- High Serotonin Levels
- Zinc Deficiency
- Tyrosine Deficiency
- Tryptophan Deficiency
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Substance Abuse
- Personality Disorders
- Sexual Abuse
- Media Imposed Factors
How to diagnose anorexia nervosa
More than 90% of individuals diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa are female, with a majority of them being in their adolescence. The list below provides the criteria for identifying Anorexia Nervosa in an individual through the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV):
Visible or notated evidence showing that the individual has refused to attain a body weight at or above the norm for their age and weight.
An obsession with weight, leading to a fear of weight gain regardless of whether the individual is already under or at the appropriate weight for their age and height.
Distorted body imagine resulting in the denial of any issue on the part of the individual and failure to accept that they are not at a healthy size.
For women who have gone through their first menstrual cycle but have not yet gone through menopause, a clear sign of Anorexia Nervosa is the absence of three or more menstrual cycles (a condition known as amenorrhea).
Notable presence of other eating disorders.
Treatment for anorexia nervosa
Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa can vary greatly depending on the individual and their current weight. There are few situations when an individual with Anorexia Nervosa can actually treat themselves without any other assistance. Below you will find a list of treatments for Anorexia Nervosa:
Hospitalization – Can be done against the individuals will.
Psychotherapy – Currently proving to be beneficial, although limited programs are available.
Forced Weight Gain – Used if the individual refuses to eat properly.
Family Therapy – Creates a support structure within the home.
Support Groups – Provides guidance and information from those who have already experienced the situation.
Drug based treatments
Antidepressant Medication’s (SSRIs) – Used to prevent relapse and as a treatment method.
Zinc Supplements – Increases appetite.
