Anorexia Nervosa By: Janie Vazquez Period 1 Ms. Marsh April 18,2012

Definition:  Literally means “without Appetite”  Eating disorder that is characterized when a person refuses to eat constantly leading to dangerous low body weight

Associated Features  Four symptoms: 1. Refuse or are unable to maintain normal weight 2. Intense fear of gaining weight 3. They have a distorted perception 4. Miss three menstrual cycles in a row(beyond puberty)

Two subtypes of Anorexia  Restricting type Behaviors  Abuse laxatives and diet pills  A desire to exercise and they do it many times  Binge eating/ purging type behaviors  They overeat and then get rid of it by forcing themselves to vomit

DSM- IV- TR criteria  Characterized by a refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight  Diagnostic Criteria  refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height  intense fear in gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight  Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self- evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight

Continuation  In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, the absence of at least three consecutive (continuous) menstrual cycles  Subtypes  Restricting type:  weight loss in accomplished through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise  Not regularly engaged in binge eating or purging  Binge Eating/ Purging Type :  Eat a lot in a short period of time and then get rid of it through self- induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

Abnormalities Starvation:  menstrual disturbance  Muscular weakness  Dry and cracking skin  Slowed heartbeat  Yellowing of the skin Vomiting: Scarring of hand skin from contact with teeth Dental enamel erosion

Etiology(Theories)  There is no real cure for anorexia. (Tracey Gold)  Psychological Perspective  develops in young people who has a very troubling life and pain. They become obsessed with bodily issues, often turning to food for feelings of comfort.  Some women have a history…  Some become trapped in a cycle of dieting and weight loss

Theories  Cognitive Factors  They avoid problems rather than solving them  Food = Emotional Comfort  Have difficulties forming their identity  They want to assert their independence from a overly family  Develop abnormal eating patterns to separate from parents

 Biological Perspective  Abnormalities in possible genetic links  have abnormalities in serotonin  Regulation of feelings of hunger or satiety(fullness)  Lack of serotonin = feelings of hunger (leads to binge)  Excess of serotonin = feelings of fullness (leads to anorexia)

Other factors  Media images idealize extremely thin bodies in celebrities  Society encourages dieting  Relationships between image, dissatisfaction, and social anxiety serves as the basis of eating disorders.  History of childhood obesity…

Prevalence  Ranges from a low.05 % to a high 3.7% in women.  Eating disorders still afflicted one in five women in a study after 10 years.  Epidemic among adolescent females  Vulnerable group are girls between  White women are affected more than black women

Types of Treatment  Psychotherapy:  Includes individual, group, and family based therapy  Support Groups:  provide advice and prepare them for therapy  Medication:  deals with persons who have depression  Hospitalization  provides a safe environment

References  CNN Health. (2005). Anorexia Nervosa. Retrieved from  Halgin, R.P.& Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.  Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from  Medline Plus. ( ). Anorxeia nervosa. Retrieved from  Medscape. (2004). Prevalence of eating disorders: results. Retrieved from  Slowik, G. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa: what are the treatments for anorexia nervosa?. Retrieved from nervosa nervosa

Discussion Questions:  How do you think the family may feel when they find out their family member has anorexia?  What can you do if you suspect if a person has anorexia nervosa?