Antonyuk
Anastasia
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University
The
Institute of Corrective Pedagogy and Psychology, student
Pet’ko Lyudmila,
Scientific supervisor,
Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University (Ukraine,
Kyiv)
ANOREXIA
AS ONE OF THE TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS
Anorexia nervosa
is a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormal eating behavior, severe
self-induced weight loss, and psychiatric comorbidities. People with anorexia
have an extreme fear of gaining weight, which causes them to try to maintain a
very low weight. They will do almost anything to avoid gaining weight,
including starving themselves or exercising too much. People with anorexia have
a distorted body image – they think they are fat (even when they are extremely
thin) and won't maintain a proper weight [5; 3].
Anorexia is an
emotional disorder that focuses on food, but many researchers believe it is an
attempt to deal with perfectionism and a desire to gain control by strictly
regulating food and weight.
Anorexia is
increasingly common, especially among young women in industrialized countries
where cultural ideals encourage women to be thin [1].
There are two
types of anorexia. In the restricting
type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by restricting
calories (following drastic diets, fasting, and exercising to excess). In the purging
type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved
by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics [6].
The exact causes
of anorexia nervosa are not known. Many factors may be involved. Genes and
hormones may play a role. Social attitudes that promote very thin
body types may also be involved. Family conflicts are no longer thought to
contribute to this or other eating
disorders. Risk factors for anorexia include: 1) Being more worried about, or
paying more attention to, weight and shape; 2) Having an anxiety disorder as a
child; 3) Having a negative self-image; 4) Having eating problems during
infancy or early childhood; 5) Having certain social or cultural ideas about
health and beauty; 6) Trying to be perfect or overly focused on rules.
Anorexia often
begins during the pre-teen or teen years or young adulthood. It is more
common in females, but may also be seen in males. However, an eating disorder
can develop at any time in life. This means children and even elderly
individuals may be at risk for an eating disorder. The disorder is seen mainly
in white women who are high achievers in school and who have a
goal-oriented family or personality [2].
The “thigh gap” is a growing phenomenon among young women. In this
video, four high school girls discuss the reasons behind this trend. A thigh
gap is characteristic of extreme thinness, and is caused when there is a gap
between your thighs when your knees and feet are together. Not only is this
unhealthy, but it can even be impossible depending on your own body type. This
report also brings up a point worth noting: most teen boys don’t know (or care)
about thigh gaps [7].
Anorexia most
commonly affects teens, as many as 3 in 100. Although anorexia seldom appears
before puberty, when it does, associated mental conditions, such as depression
and obsessive-compulsive behavior are usually more severe. Anorexia is often
preceded by a traumatic event and is usually accompanied by other emotional
problems. Anorexia is a life-threatening condition that can result in death
from starvation, heart failure, electrolyte imbalance, or suicide. For some
people, anorexia is a chronic disease, one that lasts a lifetime. But treatment
can help people with anorexia develop a healthier lifestyle and avoid
complications [1].
It’s deeply distressing to know that your child or someone you love may
be struggling with anorexia. There’s no way to solve the problem yourself, but
here are a few ideas for what you can do now
to help make a difference for someone you love [6].
Behaviors
associated with anorexia nervosa include: 1) a distorted body image; 2) an
intense fear of gaining weight; 3) a relentless pursuit of being thin, even at
the cost of being healthy or at a normal weight; 4) extremely restricted eating
behaviors; 5) extreme exercise patterns; 6) refusal to eat; 7) denial of
hunger; 8) fear of eating in public; 9) being preoccupied with food [4].
The
authors points out that Anorexia nervosa
may cause side effects or additional health problems. These include: 1) anemia;
2) brittle hair and nails; 3) constipation; 4) dry, yellow-tinted skin; 5)
feeling lethargic or tired frequently; 6) infertility; 7) lack of menstruation
(period) among females; 8) lanugo, or fine hair growth that covers the body; 9)
low blood pressure; 10) lowered internal body temperature. This may cause the
person to feel cold all the time; 11) muscle weakness; 12) slowed breathing and
pulse [1; 4; 5].
It is said in the
documents that if left untreated,
anorexia nervosa may begin to cause more serious complications. These include:
1) osteoporosis; 2) brain damage; 3) heart damage; 4) organ failure; 5) death.
It is possible to
say that according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), people
with anorexia nervosa are 18 times more likely to die early compared with
people of the same age who do not have an eating disorder [4; 6; 1].
Bibliography