The "Skinny" On Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a curse of modern society and is characterized by a marked decrease in appetite. Anorexia nervosa refers to a loss of appetite induced by psychological conditions. It occurs most often in teenaged girls, and accompanied by weight loss, malnutrition, and the cessation of menstruation. The condition often requires psychotherapeutic intervention. Facts of Anorexia Nervosa These signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa usually start during the teenage years where looks matter the most and beauty gets you going. A survey suggests that 1 percent of female university students suffer from anorexia nervosa. Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa typically fear gaining weight and dread the thought of being obese. Concerns and perceptions make them stay without food for long hours or even days. There are two types of Anorexia Nervosa and each type has its own distinctive pattern. Restricting Type- Individuals suffering from this type of disorder maintain low weight by purely restricting the intake of food and excessive exercising. Binge-Eating- This type of individuals usually restrict their intake of food but regularly engage in binge eating or self induced vomiting or even misuse laxatives, enemas or diuretics. Binge eating is often associated with other impulse control problems and mood swings. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa suffer from low self-esteem and terrible mood swings. They regularly need to control their surroundings as well as emotions. This problem generally arises as a reaction to external and internal conflicts like anxiety, stress, and unhappiness. Persons suffering from anorexia nervosa are very sensitive about turning obese and this fear very often makes give up eating completely from time to time. This hypersensitiveness is generally accompanied by the desire to control his or her reactions and emotions. A need for acceptance and low self-esteem leads to obsessive dieting and starvation. Individuals find this as a way to control their weight as well as feelings and actions with regards their emotions. Some anorexia patients feel that they don't deserve life's pleasures and gifts and they often deprive themselves of it. Anorexia nervosa patients display their disorder in many ways and they begin by restricting their food or calorie intake. In some cases, anorexia patients seem to eat normal and then induce vomiting or use diet pills to control their hunger or laxatives to get rid of the food they have consumed. The social environment plays a major part in this problem and this disease is mainly encountered in the western world where women have to maintain their figure for certain professions such as ballet dances or models. Peers force some; a few succumb to the constant taunts from others, while for others it may be just an unrealistic dream. Treatment for anorexia nervosa should start once you sight the signs the symptoms as, the faster the cure and remember anorexia lasts for several months or years and it can take many years for a person to gain normal weight. Don't ignore anorexia nervosa, as it's a life threatening illness that should be treated as fast as possible. Encourage the person to seek help, as people who understand anorexia nervosa problems usually run self-help organizations. |