Background/History of Anorexia
Anorexia dates back to about seven hundred years ago, but it was first described in England in the 1800’s. Professor Ernets Lasegue of the University of Paris identified it as an illness just over 100 years ago. Sir William Gull first documented anorexia. Sir Gull also gave Anorexia its current name. (www.paralumun.com/anorexiahistory.htm)
Complete Explanation of Anorexia
Anorexia is a disorder in which a person manages their weight in an unhealthy way. Anorexia usually occurs in teenage to young adult females. The social and emotional changes that occur during that period of maturation are theorized to play a role in the development of anorexia. Anorexia is characterized by a person whose weight “drops below 85% of what is considered normal for their age group.” Anorexia is also characterized by a having a distorted body image, a fear of becoming corpulent, and a desperate attempt to lose weight. (Survey of Social Science)
How Anorexia Originates
There are four major components, which can lead to anorexia. Cultural pressures, biochemical disturbances, psychological distortions, and family demands. Culturally, we are put into an atmosphere where there is a great emphasis on weight control and being thin. Specifically women have to deal with being the center of sexual display and feel that they need to live up to those demands which are put on by society. Biochemically, it has been found that there is an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters found in the brain of anorexics. Neurotransmitters are needed to send chemicals messages to nerve impulse between nerve cells. Psychologically, women have a distorted belief that they are only attractive if they are below a certain weight or that certain types of foods, such as candies or carbohydrates, will cause them to gain an excessive amount of weight. Scientists have found that anorexics tend to come from a family were there is extreme emotional closeness which leads them to fight for independence by refusing to eat. (www.ahealthyme.com)
Other Major Topic Components of Anorexia
There are many symptoms are associated with anorexia. Failure to maintain a normal body weight and height, an intense fear of gaining weight, a display of anxiety towards food and an avoidance of food are just a few of the many symptoms linked to anorexia. A person with anorexia may have distorted body image, they feel that they are obese when, actually, they are extremely underweight. He or she may comment on how fat they look when placed in front of a mirror. Another symptom of anorexia is an absence of three consecutive menstrual cycles. There are many health problems associated with anorexia. A person with anorexia may have an abnormally low body temperature and blood pressure, an irregular heart functioning, and bone thinning. “Approximately 4% of those diagnosed with anorexia die from the disease.” (www.ahealthyme.com)
Possible Solutions of Anorexia
Before the 1960’s, doctors treated anorexia with lobotomies and electroconclusive therapy. Lobotomy is a surgical procedure, which a doctor removes the prefrontal portion of the brain. Electroconclusive therapy is the induction of electric current through a patient’s body using electrodes, which are put on the patient’s head. These therapies were found to be inconclusive. Today, anorexics are put up in a hospital if there is a risk of death involved, and that is followed by follow-up therapy. The therapy can consist of individual, family or group therapy. The individual therapy is a behavioral therapy in which weight gain is promoted through positive reinforcements. “If the patient gains weight, she can have certain privileges, but if her weight remains the same or goes down, she will lose those privileges.” Family therapy is one, which strives to change in the interaction among family members. This therapy addresses over protectiveness of the parents and tries to obtain a medium. Drugs can also be used to calm the anorexic. Antidepressants and tranquillizers are used to increase eating behavior and promote weight gain by correcting imbalances in the brain. Tube feeding can be used when is malnutrition involved. (ahealthyme.com)
Personal Account of a Person with Anorexia
I read a personal account written by a woman named Mary. Mary has suffered from anorexia for thirteen years, and eight years ago, she started to get treatment for it. Mary was adopted and found herself as the relief of the problems between her parents. They hit her, yelled at her, and sexually abused her. From this, however, a bond formed between her and her mother. Mary’s mother was obsessed with weight and as a result, Mary was her mother’s dieting partner. They competed with each other to see who could lose the most weight. They began diet pills together, they exercised together, and even followed the same restricted meal plan. This habit diverted Mary and her mother from the “emotional turmoil-permeating [their] household.”
When Mary hit puberty, her parents began controlling every aspect of her life- from her friends, to her boyfriend, to her schedule. As a result, Mary used dieting and over-exercising to get back at her parents. It was one part of her life that her parents were unable to control. For once in her life, Mary’s parents did not control her, but she controlled them. She enjoyed the mixture of emotions her parents’ expressed- “anger… fear, hurt, and pain”. On the other hand, Mary was also losing touch with her emotions. “Part of me not only wanted to starve (for control reasons), but [I] felt I deserved to [starve] (for self-hate reasons).”
Eight years ago, Mary was hospitalized after losing 25 pounds in one month. While in the hospital, she gained ten pounds, but it was not followed by therapy. Everyone thought that she was okay, however, she kept her anorexia under control. Five years later, Mary finally admitted, to herself, that she needed help and began to go to counseling. Mary claims it was counseling that helped her finish school. She mentioned that if it had not been for the counseling, she might not have graduated. Although Mary is no longer receiving help, she still struggles with anorexia on a daily basis. She has control over her emotions and she loves herself. Those two things help her to deal with food and maintain a healthy diet. (www.winternet.com)
My Reaction to Anorexia
After reading about anorexia, I found that it is an unfortunate disease. It affects many people around the world, primarily women. The media could prevent many anorexia cases. Society conveys very demanding requirements of how women should appear. Society uses women as sex fiends for men. These women are conveyed as having long, slender legs, a small waistline, and large breasts. Unfortunately, for women, we cannot all conform to these ridiculous specifications. Although most of us would like to look like a supermodel, we all come from different backgrounds and we all have different body types. Unfortunately, some people become obsessed with needing the perfect body, whether it is obtainable or not. For some, however, anorexia is not preventable because it is caused by a demanding family life or a chemical imbalance.
After reading Mary’s story about her struggle with anorexia, I was very upset with her family. She was enviably going to become Anorexic because her mother was obsessed with weight and forced Mary into becoming obsessed with it too. On top of that, Mary’s parents put harsh demands on her, which led her to seek revenge against them. Mary’s case is unfortunate, but it left me feeling hope for anorexics. Mary realized that she had a problem and wanted to correct it. Although anorexia is an ongoing process for her, she knows that she must be conscious of it and seeks out others for support.
If I had anorexia, it would affect me on many levels. Anorexia would destroy my emotional stability. I could not imagine hating myself, and feeling that I deserve to starve. In addition, I would feel that constant need to conform to societies harsh demands. The constant pressure of society and a fear of their judgment would destroy my ego. In addition, not wanting to deal with people on a social level could confine my emotions. Eventually, I would probably have a mental breakdown, because I could not dissolve my problems into someone else. On another level, anorexia would rip apart my family. I would constantly be in control and feel the need to seek revenge against them. My parents would feel strong anger and confusion against me. As a result, their relationship would most likely be destroyed, as well.
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