Did you know that about 1% of Americans are anorexic and female anorexics outnumber males 10:1? (Davidson). Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, has the highest mortality over any mental illness. The effects that Anorexia Nervosa has on the body, if not diagnosed early, can cause severe damage that if not treated, can be fatal and the result may end in death. The definition of Anorexia Nervosa given by the National Eating Disorders Association is “a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss” while also affecting a person’s emotional and physical health. Anorexia is a complex disorder that does not have a single cause but may sometimes appear to be a
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While a few of these consequences are not as harmful as others, some can be fatal. According to NEDA, a few consequences are slow heart rate and low blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle loss, kidney failure, fatigue and weakness, hair loss, and the growth of lanugo in order to attempt to keep the body warm. The heart is affected because as the rate and blood pressure slow, the heart muscle becomes weaker. Dehydration is also a consequence which will lead to kidney failure. The reduction of bone density (osteoporosis) will lead to dry, brittle bones that will become weaker and more susceptible to breakage. The growth of Lanugo is the body’s attempt to stay warm due to the drop of body temperature and the intolerance to cold temperatures. There are also different consequences for different systems of the body. Gastrointestinal consequences are liver damage, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and stomach pain. Urinary tract infections and incontinence are consequences of urinary system failure. Reproductive system complications in women are irregular menstrual periods, amenorrhea, and infertility. The complications in men are infertility and loss of sex drive. Other consequences are weakened immune system, swollen glands, increased susceptibility to infections, increased risk of self- mutilation, increased risk of suicide, and death …show more content…
This treatment usually involves a combination of therapy and supervised weight gain. Usually a general practitioner will be involved in the treatment process as well as counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, and pediatricians if the case involves children or adolescents. This team of practitioners will develop a treatment plan that will fulfill the patients needs. These plans can either be outpatient, where the individual has appointments and then goes home. Day patient, where the patients stays in the facility for appointments that take up most of the day, or in patient, where the patient stays permanently in the hospital or a facility in order to recover and be heavily monitored. According to the National Health Services, different psychological treatments can be used and depending on the severity of the condition, treatment can last 6-12 months or longer. Some psychological treatments that are used is Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Focal Psychodynamic Therapy. Cognitive Analytic Therapy is based on the theory that “mental health conditions such as anorexia are caused by unhealthy patterns of behaviour and thinking developed in the past, usually during childhood.” This treatment involves three steps which are: Reformulation, Recognition, and Revision. Reformulation is looking for past events that may explain why unhealthy patterns were developed.
While a few of these consequences are not as harmful as others, some can be fatal. According to NEDA, a few consequences are slow heart rate and low blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle loss, kidney failure, fatigue and weakness, hair loss, and the growth of lanugo in order to attempt to keep the body warm. The heart is affected because as the rate and blood pressure slow, the heart muscle becomes weaker. Dehydration is also a consequence which will lead to kidney failure. The reduction of bone density (osteoporosis) will lead to dry, brittle bones that will become weaker and more susceptible to breakage. The growth of Lanugo is the body’s attempt to stay warm due to the drop of body temperature and the intolerance to cold temperatures. There are also different consequences for different systems of the body. Gastrointestinal consequences are liver damage, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and stomach pain. Urinary tract infections and incontinence are consequences of urinary system failure. Reproductive system complications in women are irregular menstrual periods, amenorrhea, and infertility. The complications in men are infertility and loss of sex drive. Other consequences are weakened immune system, swollen glands, increased susceptibility to infections, increased risk of self- mutilation, increased risk of suicide, and death …show more content…
This treatment usually involves a combination of therapy and supervised weight gain. Usually a general practitioner will be involved in the treatment process as well as counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, and pediatricians if the case involves children or adolescents. This team of practitioners will develop a treatment plan that will fulfill the patients needs. These plans can either be outpatient, where the individual has appointments and then goes home. Day patient, where the patients stays in the facility for appointments that take up most of the day, or in patient, where the patient stays permanently in the hospital or a facility in order to recover and be heavily monitored. According to the National Health Services, different psychological treatments can be used and depending on the severity of the condition, treatment can last 6-12 months or longer. Some psychological treatments that are used is Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Focal Psychodynamic Therapy. Cognitive Analytic Therapy is based on the theory that “mental health conditions such as anorexia are caused by unhealthy patterns of behaviour and thinking developed in the past, usually during childhood.” This treatment involves three steps which are: Reformulation, Recognition, and Revision. Reformulation is looking for past events that may explain why unhealthy patterns were developed.