Anorexia is an eating disorder which is exemplified through starvation and major psychological problems. Only certain people actually meet the criterion which considers one to be anorexic. The majority of anorexic people are often teenage female girls between the ages of sixteen and twenty three. The importance of understanding the facts behind this disorder are mainly to help those who suffer from anorexia and to help prevent its occurrence in general. William Gull was the first psychologist who was credited with the first published study of anorexia about two women in nineteen seventy four. This original study allowed more recent psychologists to further enhance the study of anorexia and used Gull’s research as a stepping stone toward new and improved inquiries.
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder which is portrayed by extreme amounts of fear of weight gain and major concerns about body image. Such fear can lead to starvation. It is not to be confused with Bulimia Nervosa, which although is a psychological disorder, involves different psychological and behavioral criterion. Anorexia has been compared to a leading sexual disorder called inhibited sexual desire (ISD) which is difficult to cure. This has even been termed “sexual anorexia” since there is no sexual desire or pleasure from touching, kissing or caressing. Over 90% of people who suffer from this disorder are women (Meadow and Weiss, 1992).
There are a variety of factors which contribute to the onset of anorexia including psychological, environmental, or family and friends, all of which affect individuals differently. Combinations of environmental and genetic factors also play a role in the development of the disorder, mainly between mothers and daughters. Differences in lifestyles, expectations, and opportunity also alter the impacts and prevalence among those in society. (Davis, Blackmore, Katzman and Fox, 2005). Typically, the anorexic patient experiences a lack of control in most aspects of their lives. Families play a large role in the onset of the eating disorder, thus are a significant barrier in treatment and recovery of the disorder.
There are certain clinical criterions for anorexia, in which very few adolescent girls who strive to be thin actually meet. There are four distinct areas which include: refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimum normal for age and height, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced , and in females the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles. Fewer than 1 in 100 adolescent females actually meet this criterion (Long, 1995). This is a difficult disorder to treat since patients will often always believe that they are still overweight. This psychological disorder leads to many serious health problems for example a loss of bone density, and insufficient amounts of nutrients. Approximately 15-20% of those with anorexia eventually die from the disorder.
Method
This research was conducted through various search engines such as Pro Quest and Psych Articles Online. These articles may be easily accessed through the internet or through the library at St.FX. Key words that contributed to the findings of these articles included: “anorexia nervosa”, “anorexia” AND “men”, and “anorexia” AND “first study”. These key words assisted in obtaining relevant information needed to proceed in researching anorexia nervosa. The Novanet catalogue contributed to the findings of this research as well. In typing “anorexia nervosa” in the ‘subject’ field resulted in one page list of all available books for students. The books that contained the appropriate information were easily accessible through the library on campus, with a written list of reference numbers.
Results
Research findings were discovered using credible online sources, as well as books. Those from the New York Times paper, The London Lancet or Psychological journals provided suitable information in regards to the topic of anorexia. Several documented facts were listed including comparative studies, for example, the relationship between eating disorders and sexual disorders. The other books provided factual evidence for points such as mortality rates and it also gave background information to bulimia, which helped with the comparison of the two disorders. These sources have assisted in the exploration of this study in order to proceed with further research.
Discussion
It is necessary to investigate a series of questions in order to fully understand Anorexia Nervosa. The questions that will be discussed include: What are the risk factors that contribute to the development of anorexia? Can anorexia be controlled? What is the psychological impact and prevalence of anorexia on males versus females? What part of the brain is affected? What is the treatment for anorexia? What have other researchers indicated in regards to symptoms, risks, preventions, and treatment? What are some interesting viewpoints and theories that have been produced about anorexia nervosa? What is the difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa? Exploring the answers to these questions could potentially lead to future studies regarding Anorexia Nervosa, as well as increase public awareness in order to prevent the occurrence throughout the population.
Humans have historically been trying to understand the topic of anorexia. The first study of anorexia was done in 1874 by a psychologist named William Gull, who was credited with the first published article outlining the condition of anorexia nervosa (Bergh and Sodersten, 1998). He conducted a study on two women who were experiencing severe and unexplained weight loss. Gull’s results were somewhat relevant to the results of studies today. For example most cases were said to be females of ages 16-23, and occasionally in males of the same age. This was the first recorded study of anorexia, and it has been involved in further detailed studies ever since 1874.
Anorexia nervosa is an interesting and complex topic due to its psychological and behavioural nature. An individual will react differently depending on the part of the brain that is affected by the disorder. A brain disorder leads to behavioral problems, therefore knowing which part is affected will help to study the thought processes surrounding the disorder. There is increasing prevalence of the disorder on the male population as well. There is said to be differences between the male and females with the disorder, however the more shocking aspects are the similarities. Men are more hesitant when it comes to seeking help and they struggle with perfectionism and self-esteem (Goode, 2000). Awareness of the percentage of the population with anorexia, and the approximate age groups will make it easier to study, and provide help. For example, if the majority of reports for anorexia are clearly teenage females, it would help doctors and psychologists with their studies and diagnosis.
The treatment of the disorder is difficult since patients will often always believe that they are still overweight. This psychological disorder leads to many serious health problems for example a loss of bone density, and insufficient amounts of nutrients. When one is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa they are taken into the hospital. Depending on the severity of the disorder, people can be treated differently. Hospitalization usually occurs in most cases and in even worse cases; death is a result. For example, a study in Sweden found an 18-30% mortality rate over a 30 year period for anorectic patients (Petrucelli and Stuart, 2001). Those who suffer from anorexia cannot be fully treated unless they recognize that the disorder exists. Approximately 15-20% of those with anorexia eventually die from the disorder.
Anorexia is a disorder that has been increasingly publicized through media. For example, a teenage girl looking though a magazine, or watching television observes all the advertisements which are based on tall, thin, good looking models. Since anorexia is a psychological disorder, it is not mainly on what is viewed through media, but the major psychological and behavioral influences on the teenagers in today’s society.
It is extremely important to explore and understand the issues surrounding anorexia nervosa, specifically that it is a psychological disorder that affects behavior, and one that is preventable.
References
Bergh, S., & Soderstend, P. (1998, May 9). Anorexia Nervosa: rediscovery of a disorder. The Lancet London, 1427-1429.
Blackmore, E., Davis, C., Katzman, D., & Fox, J. (2005, March). Female adolescents with anorexia and their parents. Psychological Magazine, 377.
Bruch, H. (1973). Eating Disorders: obesity, anorexia nervosa, and the person within.
New York: Basic.
Goode, E. (2000, June 25). Thinner: The Male Battle with Anorexia. The New York Times, 16-18.
Long, P. (1995). Retrieved November 5, 2005, from
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-et01.html
Meadow, M., & Weiss, L. (1992). Women’s Conflicts About Eating and Sexuality. New York: Haworth Press.
Petrucelli, J., & Stuart, C. (2001). Hungers and Compulsions. New Jersey: Jason Aronson Inc.