Enjoy! It's sort of long....
Anorexia
Sheila, a thirteen-year-old girl, for the past 6 months has been steadily losing weight. Her food choices are overly restrictive. She eats alone; so much so, that she does not eat with her family at the dinner table anymore. She is constantly exercising; her parents are terribly worried, but Sheila keeps on saying that nothing is wrong with her (Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder 11). Brideget Engel, Natalie Staats Reiss and Mark Dombeck, all PhD doctors, state that, “The first formal description and diagnosis of anorexia as a medical condition occurred in England during the 1680’s” (par. 5). Anorexia has clearly been around longer than people think, in fact well over 300 years. Nowadays, doctors make a proper diagnosis by performing a few tests. They check the patients’ current height and weight, then a few laboratory tests, then finally, a psychological test. Some would think that more people would take anorexia seriously, but on the contrary, many people fail to see how devastating it can be: “Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an unrealistic fear of weight gain... the individual is obsessed with becoming increasingly thinner and limits food intake to the point where health is compromised” (anorexia nervosa def. 1). People who are suffering from anorexia will deny the fact that they are dangerously thin. They are convinced that they must lose weight to obtain a healthy body. They may lose weight by limiting their calorie intake, excessive exercise, overdosing on diet pills and vomiting. To an anorexic, eating one simple cookie is like eating a box of cookies. The article, “Anorexia Statistics And Other Eating Disorder Statistics,” states, “1 in 200 women in the United States have anorexia” (par. 5). Translate that number, and it turns into, “7-10 million women, teens & girls in the United States...” (par. 5). That’s just America alone, in females alone. What would happen if the statistics added males too? What if the statistics included the world? Studies reveal that anorexia is not something someone can develop or recover from over night; there are a series of symptoms to look out for, as well as important treatments to consider.
It is true that anorexia is, in fact an eating disorder, nevertheless no one can deny that anorexia is also a type of psychological disorder. Why and how does an individual begin to think that he or she is fat, when in reality he or she could be perfectly fine? It is time that people start to understand the psychology behind anorexia. Karen SaintLuke, a freelance writer, explains that, “Feelings of fatness and unattractiveness are known to cause this eating disorder” (par. 7). When anorexics look at the mirror they often feel that they are not skinny. Not skinny equals fat and fat equals ugly. Those who suffer from anorexia, struggle with the way they see themselves. Everyone knows that anorexics obsess over staying thin, however, “It is less known that many anorexics obsess about food” (Werdell par. 4). When anorexics are near food or when they are thinking about food they will obsess over mainly two things. The first thing is, how many calories does the food contain? If they are going to eat the food they will obsess over the potions. Anorexics do this because they believe that they have an unhealthy body. Sometimes they may even believe that they are unworthy to be looked at. It is very clear that anorexia is both an eating disorder and a psychological disorder.
Anorexics have several ways to make it seem like they eat more in a day when in reality they do not. They have many strategies, as well as methods to lose weight. These strategies may work at first, but all anorexics suffer the same symptoms. Though they may try to deny it and conceal it, the truth always comes out. The Mayo Clinic staff shares a few of the symptoms, which are, “...dry skin, lack of emotions, fatigue, social withdrawal, dehydration...” (par. 3-4). Anorexics may have dry skin because of such a high lack of water in their body system, which would also explain the cause of dehydration. People with anorexia will sometimes turn down invitations to parties, hanging out with friends mainly because food is involved, thus making them to go through a social withdrawal. Social withdrawal, may be hard to notice, nevertheless it occurs slowly, but surely. Most of the time, they feel fatigue because they have no energy. Other than these symptoms there are some more serious symptoms that must be looked for. Mayo Clinic staff, shares, “...excessive exercising, denial of hunger, low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, extreme weight loss...” (par. 3-4). When anorexics do become hungry chances are that they will ignore it or get rid of it by drinking water or chewing gum. When they feel that they have over eaten they must burn away those calories by doing excessive exercise. By constantly exercising and not giving their body the proper nutrition their blood pressure will fall and may keep decreasing over time. The article, “Dangers of Anorexia,” states, “Anorexia nervorsa has a multitude of medical complications, ranging from mild to severe...” (par. 2). These medical complications can, if not treated, cause the individual to die, “...such as heart, kidney, or multiple organ failure or...pneumonia...” (par. 2). On occasion, an anorexic may experience organ failure for a short period of time. This only happens, however, if the anorexic is in severe condition. In the worst case scenario the individual dies because the heart has stopped beating.
Hundreds of girls, if not thousands, suffer everyday from anorexia. This eating disorder may start small, but once it starts to grow it is hard to stop it. The effects of anorexia robs ordinary teens, young adults and even their families from enjoying life. Anorexia is most common in women, but does, in fact affect men. Consider the story of Tom, he was once a high school diver, but now he is in no condition to participate in the sport. The only foods he ate were health bars and juice. Always exercising to obtain more muscles; but, instead of appearing muscular he looked like a skeleton as one friend jokingly teased him (Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder 12). One may wonder why would men be affected by anorexia, after all, they don’t read Vogue or Instyle magazine, but they do read men’s magazine, which often displays a man with 6-pack abs. Men feel just as pressured as women from the media and society, the only difference is that they tend to conceal it. It is more difficult to spot anorexia amongst males than females because, “...females often use extreme dieting as a gateway into an eating disorder...males are more likely to fixate on exercise, which may appear deceptively healthy” (Vivo par. 3). Unlike women, men will focus mainly on extreme exercises, instead of dieting. Nevertheless, they may include a diet, but the diet will most likely be, “a strict high-protein, no-fat diet” (Vivo par. 1). Signs of anorexia found in women do not appear in men with anorexia. The article, “Male Anorexia,” explains that the, “...classic sign of anorexia, amenorrhea, cannot be applied in men” (par. 9). Amenorrhea is the loss of the monthly period that women receive. However, other than that one symptom there is really no difference.
When family members try to help their anorexic child or sibling by trying to take the individual to a hospital for a proper diagnosis often they will be pushed away. If anorexics are always denying and ignoring their symptoms, weight loss and their current medical condition, how can their family members help them? Performing a proper diagnosis is critical, sadly, “In many cases, the actual diagnosis is not made until medical complications have developed” (Dryden-Edwards par. 1). These medical complications can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the family member has to force their child or sibling to go to the hospital. However, a family member cannot bring their child or sibling to the hospital based on a gut feeling, “...the patient's symptoms must conform to the guidelines set out in the DSM-IV (the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV)” (“The Anorexia Diagnosis” par. 6). The guidelines are: weight loss, fear of weight gain, distorted body image and amenorrhea. When anorexia is suspected, “A complete medical and psychological history will be gathered...In addition to a medical history, a complete physical examination is required” (par. 3-5). The physical exam will include blood tests, “...and electrocardiogram tests will be performed if there is reason to believe the heart has been affected” (par. 5). It should be noted that, “Anorexics may not give accurate answers about weight loss, or attempt to deny the possibility of eating disorders...family members may provide more realistic answers” (par. 4). All these steps, in diagnosing anorexia must be performed to ensure a full recovery. Overall, the process of performing a proper diagnosis can be very stressful for both the family member and the anorexic. Nevertheless, it must be the first step in recovering from the eating disorder.
After a proper diagnosis is completed, it is time to take the next step forward in recovery. The next step is finding the right treatment to help the anorexic. A person with anorexia who starts treatment early will most of the time make good progress, but a person with anorexia who starts treatment when the disorder is serious will have a most difficult time. Different treatment options should be looked into depending on the condition of the anorexic. One internet source gives an example, “A hospital stay is needed for those who are seriously underweight or who have severe medical problems” (WebMD par. 1). If the anorexic is in serious condition it will be required that the individual stays in the hospital. The stay, could be over night, two days or more, it all depends with the condition and the cooperation of the patient. When a family has a child, who is anorexic it is highly recommended for the family to take family therapy it, “...helps parents support their child, both emotionally and physically. It also supports parents in creating a normal eating pattern for their child” (par. 7). Family members, will benefit greatly by partaking in family therapy. They will gain a better understanding of their child’s condition and how they can help their child through this eating disorder. Nutrition is very important when treating anorexia and should not be taken lightly. A nutritional treatment plan, usually involves appointments with a personal nutritionist or dietitian for the anorexic. Together, they will create an eating plan to help the anorexic gain weight. The nutritionist will help make meal plans with a good amount of calories to reach and keep a healthy weight (Smith and Segal par. 35). Also, there are treatment centers all throughout the United States. The treatment center will include several treatment options, “...such as art therapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, body image and experiential therapy” (Remuda Ranch par. 4). Treatment should take place right after the diagnosis and should always have a comforting atmosphere. It may be really hard and scary for an anorexic to go through treatment, so it is crucial for the family to be supportive.
Anorexia is an extremely serious disease, both physically and mentally. It slowly drains the life of the person. This psychological disorder may carry many deadly medical conditions if the appropriate steps are not taken, nevertheless there are some people out there who have overcome this terrible disorder. Consider the story of Diana, “When Diana Anderson started high school, she was a healthy athlete...when her long-term boyfriend broke up with her, the picture wasn’t so rosy” (Smith par. 1). This was the point for Diana where she felt rejected. Thought after thought were streaming through her mind of not feeling pretty enough, why else would her boy-friend break up with her? Diana explains what happens next, “I [Diana] really turned to fitness as a way to control my life...Soon enough, I dropped from 120 lbs...to 110, then 100lbs, and then below 100 lbs within months” (par. 2). Diana felt that the only possible way to ever control the chaos in her life was if she controlled what went inside her mouth. It didn’t take long for the disease to consume her, “Over time she seemed to lose the joyfulness that she always had. Then there began to be physical symptoms as well as the change in her mood” (par. 3). The symptoms of anorexia may be hard to notice at first, but become more distinguishable as time goes by. Diana’s mother didn’t know what to do, “As a last resort, Diana’s mother decided to research all of her symptoms online...After a year of studying the Bible and praying about her anorexia, Diana was completely delivered from her eating disorder” (par. 8-14). It took a whole year, but Diana along with her family never gave up, “She’s even written a book called Miss University to help college-age girls keep fitness and nutrition in balance” (par. 14). Of course, the process of her recovery was very difficult, but who is to say that she didn’t have any help? Diana states a Bible verse that had helped her greatly, “Corinthians 6:19 has always been my go-to verse since I‘ve been well” (par. 15). Anorexia was controlling Diana’s life and she didn’t even know it. Her mother, took the first step and showed Diana the facts. Then, afterwards, Diana began her process of recovery and was successful. Recovering from anorexia is not impossible, it never was.
Sheila, a thirteen-year-old girl was slowly isolating herself. She had been steadily decreasing in her weight over the past 6 months by being overly restrictive in her food options and by constantly exercising. Sheila’s parents tried on several occasions to warn her, but each time Sheila pushed them away claiming that she felt fine. There are many other girls out there in America who are just like Sheila trying their best to be as thin as possible in order to gain a healthy body. The fact is, anorexia is more than a simple eating disorder it is a mental disorder as well. Feelings of fatness and not being pretty consume their lives, if they don’t see themselves as thin they will think they are fat and ugly. Because of this, they will try every way they know how to be thin. In the process of doing so, they will try their best to conceal their symptoms, by coming up with excuses or by wearing baggy clothes to hide their weight loss. People suffering anorexia will always think they know what they are doing, they are in constant denial. Ignoring their dry skin, lack of emotion, low blood pressure and many other symptoms that, if not treated soon will cause them to die, such as organ and heart failure. Truth be told, girls are not the only victims of anorexia there are many boys and young male adults facing the same trails. Tom was once a great athlete, but now his body is in no condition to play sports. Tom only allowed himself to eat health bars and juice. Even his friends now tease him calling him a skeleton. Anorexia affects both females and males. There are many other Toms as well as Sheilas in America. It is harder to identify anorexia in males than in females mainly because men do not partake in fad diets and they do not suffer from the classic signs of anorexia as females do, such as amenorrhea. Therefore, it is harder to diagnose men than it is with women. The diagnosis process may take a long time to complete depending on the anorexic’s condition and cooperation. A proper diagnosis, will include laboratory tests, such as a blood test followed by psychological test, so the doctors can discern whether or not the patient has a distorted body image, then finally, if the it is suspected that the heart has been affected it will be required to perform a electrocardiogram test. It is important that right after the diagnosis are finished to consider treatment options for the anorexic patient. A nutrition plan designed to help the patient reach a healthy weight is a necessity, as well as therapy sessions. Family members should be involved during this process, therefore they should consider partaking in family therapy. If the anorexic’s condition is beyond the control of the parents and if the condition is critical the doctors may highly recommend taking their child to a treatment center where the best team doctors are available. The entire recovery process is most challenging and may take months to years, and the person may experience, occasionally a relapse. Nonetheless, there are people out there who have fully recovered from anorexia. Diana is a perfect example. It took her a whole year to overcome anorexia and she is now living a healthy example for all girls out there struggling with weight. If anyone wants to know more about eating disorders along with anorexia they should look into this website: http://www.anad.org/.
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