They come to believe that they will be judged by how thin they are and how they compare to their idols -- popular singers, models, and actresses. In fact, even executives in fashion and beauty magazines see an alarming trend of "too thin" to the point of looking emaciated and unhealthy -- certainly not a look that "sells" (Wilson 542)
Hospital treatment may include the use of a feeding tube and intravenous fluids, and patients typically gain an average of 2 to 3 pounds a week. Hospitalization normally lasts as long as the patient has serious health risks due to low weight or associated health issues (Franco, 2011)
In the United States, patients who are over the age of 18 can make their own medical decisions, meaning that family members cannot compel them to seek a proper diagnosis or treatment. In some cases individuals may live with the disease for years and avoid any contact with mental health or medical professionals (Halse, Honey, & Boughtwood, 2008)
In addition, a family assessment can help clinicians identify any relevant behavioral patterns or environmental stressors that made further inform the treatment plan. In younger patients, a family assessment can be critical to treatment planning, as the patient will typically have extensive contact with family members while she is in treatment and attempting to regain weight and recovered from her disordered eating habits (Keel & McCormick, 2010)
As a result, many young patients are diagnosed with Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) rather than AN, which often blocks proper treatment and research. Many clinicians have called for a revision of the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-V, which will be released in 2012 (Knoll, Bulik, & Hebebrand, 2010)
A medical doctor must first rule out the presence of these conditions through diagnostic tests, such blood testing, ultrasound, stool testing, and even colonoscopy. A thorough physical exam is the first step towards and effective and error-free diagnosis, and physicians should be particularly aware of physical symptoms such as very dry skin, low body fat, abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, and possibly hypothermia (Pritts & Susman, 2003)
The psychological factors that precipitate anorexia can be quite complex, and as a result the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder often require thorough psychological assessment, differential diagnosis, and long-term therapy. This paper will explore current research on anorexia and investigate how medical and mental health professionals are using this research to inform their work with anorexic patients (Smith et
The main focus of the article is to examine Judy Jones' condition through the use of Cognitive-Family therapy techniques and explaining the reasons for the use of these techniques in the case study. Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is described as a mental health disorder whose common symptoms include deliberate weight loss, intrusive overwhelming fears of weight gain, and disordered body image (Gardner & Wilkinson, 2011, p
As a result of the limitations of family-based treatment, Cognitive-Behavioral Family therapy is considered as an alternative. This consideration is attributed to its result in treatment for bulimia nervosa to an extent that it's regarded as the leading empirically supported treatment method (Grave, Calugi, Doll & Fairburn, 2013)
Anorexia nervosa, which mainly affects young women, is characterized by refusal to maintain body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and feelings of being fat even when the individual is emaciated (Gold)
For example, a patient's drawings of family members are generally undistorted, while those of herself show an exaggeratedly obese figure (Gold). Although anorexia nervosa typically affects females, according to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, this disorder also affects over 1 million males per year (Hayes)
David Pierce note, "Activity anorexia occurs when food intake declines, and this reduction in caloric intake results in an increase in physical activity. Increased physical activity causes an additional decline in food intake, which further increases activity, and so on" (Epling and Pierce 3)
Michael Strober, lead author of the study, says nearly 12% of women with severe anorexia had female relatives who had had some symptoms of the disease. Four percent of the women with bulimia also had relatives with bulimia" (Goff 4)
S. women suffer from some form of eating disorder, 15% of Americans have eating disordered attitudes, and 1,000 people will die each year from eating disorders" (Lager and McGee)
What is anorexia nervosa? Anorexia is a chronic disease that affects a variety of people. Most people believe that is only affects young women, especially teens, but it can affect men, young adults, and older women, too (Lucas 3)
(Tran) Psychologists believe that the trauma of rape or molestation can contribute to the development of anorexia. (Barlow) Because sexual assault can make a woman feel helpless, the development of an eating disorder gives a woman a sense of control
Young women are constantly bombarded with these images and begin to believe that this is how they should look.(Candy and Fee) The constant emphasis on looks and weight lead some individuals' diet and eventually begin starve themselves so that they look like the images that they see in the media
") Most of the individuals that suffer with anorexia are females between the ages of 14 and 18 but a high percentage college women also suffer from the disorder. (Johnson and Petrie) The disorder can cause serious damage to the body including; kidney failure, anemia, osteoporosis, heart failure, stomach rupture and stunted growth
Many professionals believe that this has to with the fact that anorexia gives the individual something that they have control over. (Mintz) family's attitude towards weight can also contribute to the development of the disorder
(Candy and Fee) The constant emphasis on looks and weight lead some individuals' diet and eventually begin starve themselves so that they look like the images that they see in the media. (Myers and Biocca) Many young women are unaware of the fact that the women that appear in magazines have been airbrushed and that these women are not "perfect