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Anorexia Nervosa
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Anorexia
Nervosa
"I
will never let myself get fat."
"No one will like me if I gain weight."
"Weight loss shows that I am independent and have
self-discipline.
Anorexia
nervosa usually begins in adolescence and is characterized
by an intense pursuit of thinness that results in losing
to an unhealthy weight. Often the person is absolutely
convinced that she is obese or in immediate danger of
becoming fat, when she is actually very thin. Sometimes
dangerous methods of weight control are used such as
semi-starvation, that is eating very limited amounts
of food, exercising excessively, avoiding foods believed
to be fattening, or purging via vomiting or laxative
abuse.
While
the degree of weight loss can be striking and methods
used to achieve weight loss can appear very dramatic,
the core of the disorder is the obsessive preoccupation
with thinness as the primary, if not exclusive basis
for judging one's worth. The affected individual is
never satisfied with the amount of weight loss, no matter
how great. Their perception of their appearance is typically
extremely distorted.
Medical
Complications
Weight
loss and reliance upon unhealthy methods of weight control
can result in serious medical complications. The most
common complications are amenorrhea (loss of menstruation),
dry skin, and intolerance to cold temperatures. Sometimes,
the person may observe downy hair on the face or limbs,
called lanugo. Heart irregularities, dizziness and low
blood pressure can occur. Chronic low weight can lead
to infertility and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).
The longer the person is low weight and persists at
using unhealthy weight control methods, the more serious
the medical problems are likely to be. It is estimated
that 10 to 15% of individuals with anorexia nervosa
are likely to die, either from medical complications
or from suicide.
Treatment
Anorexia
nervosa, like other eating disorders, can be treated
effectively. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa
will eventually recover although it may require a year
or more of treatment. Effective treatment consists of
three components, 1.) assessing and managing medical
problems that may be present, 2.) addressing eating
behavior directly in order to achieve a healthy meal
pattern and 3.) psychological treatment, e.g. identifying
and changing cognitive distortions about appearance
and self-worth, developing better means of demonstrating
independence, improving personal relationships, and
communicating more clearly with family and friends.
While psychotherapy, whether individual, family or group,
is 80% of treatment it is not effective if the eating
behavior and medical concerns are not addressed at the
same time. Weight gain is the first goal of treatment,
but the more difficult treatment goal of addressing
serious psychological issues must be accomplished if
the person is to avoid relapse.
No
single professional can provide all of the care an individual
with an eating disorder requires. We believe a multidisciplinary
approach is the best way to treat eating disorders.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is struggling with anorexia nervosa, contact one of our eating disorder specialists for help.
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