Anorexia Nervosa PowerPoint By: Tyiana Combs, Remy Hill, Diamond Thomas, and Tara Byard 7-5

The Basics of Anorexia There are many theories on the causes of Anorexia Nervosa. The exact cause is yet to be discovered. One’s susceptibility to this disorder is determined by genetics. Some studies suggest that Anorexia many stem from a brain dysfunction. Some early possible signs of anorexia include problems feeding as an infant, a history of under eating, and maternal depressive symptoms. 95% of those affected are females. Without proper treatment, Anorexia is life-threatening. People suffering from anorexia are at least 15% below the average body weight, believe they are overweight when in fact they are severely underweight. There are two types of Anorexia: the Restricting type and the Binging/Purging type.

Restricting vs. Purging Type Restricting Type: Those suffering from this type of Anorexia lose weight by: Purging Type: Those suffering from this type of Anorexia lose weight by binging and then: Severely limiting calories Works out very hard to balance eating a “bad” food or after binging Following strict diets, that eventually consume their lives Self-inducing vomiting Give up eating all together, or “fasting” periodically Using diuretics or enemas Begins by restricting themselves from certain foods, until they survive on only a couple of items The feeling of guilt after a binge session often drives the person to do one of the above

Possible Causes of Anorexia Those with Anorexia often have low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, bot related to one’s well-being, and high levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. It is common for someone with Anorexia to be a perfectionist, over-achiever, and people pleasers. The media tends to glorify skinny celebrities, and many believe that because Anorexics tend to do what they are told, this pressure to be thin may cause some people to develop Anorexia. Genetics impact the likely hood of someone developing Anorexia. Some scientists feel that if someone has a certain combination of genes working together, they are more likely to develop Anorexia than someone without them. What triggers this can vary, in many cases someone commenting on their weight will throw them into this terrible disease. Someone with a sibling suffering from an eating disorder, they are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop one as well.

Detecting Anorexia: The Symptoms Someone suffering from Anorexia may do/show/have one of the following signs and symptoms: Rushes to the bathroom after meals, or leaves the table. Runs water and returns smelling minty fresh from mouthwash or mints, to disguise that they threw up Pretends to eat, avoids eating, lies about eating, makes excuses to get out of eating Obsessed with food, even though eats very little. Uses and abuses dieting drugs such as appetite reducers, laxatives, diuretics or diet pills Dramatic weight loss that lacks a medical cause Frets over the slightest flaw in physical appearance Very critical of their appearance and constantly feels that they are not thin enough

Detecting Anorexia: The Symptoms Someone suffering from Anorexia may do/show/have one of the following signs and symptoms: Complains that they are fat or overweight when they are very underweight Refusal to sustain a minimally normal body weight. Obsession with calorie counting, measures food portions, weighs themselves frequently Denies having an eating disorder or being too thin Has an inaccurate body image (i.e. believes they are overweight although they are dangerously thin) Depression, irritability, anxiety and/or fatigue Lower attention span.

How Anorexia Effects Your Body Taken from WomensHealth.gov

Is it a Diet or Anorexia? Healthy Dieting Anorexia Anorexia usually begins as a diet. Healthy Dieting Anorexia Purpose for losing weight is to become healthier. Anorexics only feel happy when they are losing weight. They want to lose weight to attain happiness not optimum health.. Self-esteem is based on more than physical appearance. Self-esteem is determined by their weight, how thin they are and their physical appearance. They lose weight to take charge of their health and physical appearance. They lose weight because they are addicted to the feeling of control it gives them. When going about weight loss, they do it in a healthy fashion. When going about weight loss, they will do anything to shed pounds. The negative health effects it may have do not matter.

Treating Anorexia Nervosa To rid someone of Anorexia, you must bring them back to a healthy weight, explore and fix any psychological issues, and make them realize that they are thin enough so that they do not return to Anorexia. Counseling and therapy may also be effective options. Teaching the patient healthy eating habits, nutrition, and balanced meals through nutritional therapy helps them return to a healthy weight and develop habits that will keep them away from Anorexia. Sometimes just being there to listen and guide the person can get them back on track towards a healthy lifestyle.

Treating Anorexia With Therapy Cognitive therapy This type of therapy educates the patient on what Anorexia is, what their thought process is, and what Anorexia can do to the Human body. It is intended to increase their self-esteem, sense of control, and rid them of their distorted body image. Behavior therapy Encourages the patient to develop healthy eating habits by rewarding them and reiterating its importance. It also teaches them to monitor their own eating so that after treatment they maintain healthy eating habits. The patient is taught what might trigger their Anorexia, and how to cope with these triggers.

Treating Anorexia With Therapy Group therapy This type of therapy is intended to make the patient feel supported and less isolated. A group of Anorexics are able to seek help from each other, and learn from other members experiences. Although they are supervised, this creates a comfortable setting, because everyone around them understands what they are going through. Family therapy This type of therapy explores the patients family an insures that nothing in the family is preventing recovery or contributing to the problem. Some sessions are held without the patient.

How to Help Someone Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa Calmly and gently persuade friend or family member to seek professional help. Instead of taking a bold approach, gently explain your concerns. It will go over better, because they are probably in denial. If someone suffering from Anorexia is willing to talk, you should be a listener. Do not judge them, gain their trust. Eventually, after talking to you for a while, you should be able to bring them to the next step of treatment, therapy or counseling.