Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric eating disorder where a patient has low weight, restricts food intake, fears gaining weight, and has an uncontrolled desire to be thin. The hallmark of this disease is the obsession with weight and shape. The individual is also able to tolerate excessive amounts of tolerance to lose weight. Apart from food restriction, people with anorexia indulge in extreme physical activity to lose weight (Morris et al., 2007). They also induce vomiting or use laxatives to get rid of the food taken. As they carry out these interventions, they regularly check their bodies to ensure that they do not gain any weight. Genetic predisposition has been linked to anorexia, with genetic analysis indicating that it is found in families with obsessive and competitive habits (Morris et al., 2007). Also, contributory to the development of anorexia are developmental challenges, life changes, and abuse.
Anorexia nervosa has far-reaching consequences to people, including both physical and psychological. Anorexia causes dry skin, which easily chips and causes gastroparesis in the stomach with increased bloating and early satiety (Mehler &Brown, 2015). The endocrine system is markedly affected in anorexia. Some hormones, such as cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid, insulin, glucagon, and sex hormones, have their levels altered (Mehler &Brown, 2015). The change in hormonal levels predisposes the patient to metabolic imbalances. In the bone, anorexia causes increased breakdown, leading to the weakening of bones. The heart, bone marrow, and lung performance are also affected negatively by anorexia.
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An essential part of management for anorexia is psychotherapy. Experts agree that long-term psychotherapy methods, such as psychodynamic understanding, motivational enhancement, behavior therapy, and systemic principles, yield better results (Morris et al., 2007). Short-term methods, such as behavior and interpersonal therapy, yield minimal results. In combination with psychotherapy, nutritional support is critical in management (Morris et al., 2007). Weight gain should, however, be slow to avoid relapse of patients. While individual therapy for the patients is essential, the involvement of families yields better results. Besides, drug therapy is discouraged unless in the case of co-existing conditions. In summary, the treatment of anorexia is a team effort involving the patient, family, psychotherapist, nutrition specialists, and physicians.
References
Mehler, P. S., & Brown, C. (2015). Anorexia nervosa–medical complications. Journal of eating disorders , 3 (1), 11.
Morris, J., & Twaddle, S. (2007). Anorexia nervosa. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) , 334 (7599), 894–898. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39171.616840.BE
