Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa Essay

With Anorexia Nervosa, there is a strong fear of weight gain and a preoccupation with body image. Those diagnosed may show a resistance in maintaining body weight or denial of their illness. Additionally, anorexics may deny their hunger, have eating rituals such as excessive chewing and arranging food on a plate, and seek privacy when they are eating. For women, they go through immediate body changes from abnormal to no menstruation periods and develop lanugo all over their bodies. Characteristics of an anorexic individual also consist of extreme exercise patterns, loosely worn clothing, and maintain very private lives. Socially, to avoid criticism or concern from others, they may distant themselves from friends and activities they once enjoyed. Instead, their primary concerns revolve around weight loss, calorie intake, and dieting. In regards to health, many will have an abnormal slow heart rate and low blood pressure, some can develop osteoporosis, severe dehydration which can result in kidney failure, and overall feel weak (Robbins, 27-29). It has been reported that Anorexia Nervosa has one of the highest death rates in any mental health condition in America (www.NationalEatingDisorders.org).

For this interview I looked at anorexia in one of my close friends. I chose to interview a friend of mine who we will call Jessica for the sake of this paper. Jessica is a 21 year old American woman who has been diagnosed with Anorexia since she was 16. Jessica is 5’6 and when she was diagnosed with her disorder she was 5’4 and weighed 90 pounds which for her height at the time was considered to be severely underweight. Jessica still struggles with many symptoms of this disorder; however, she has been able to gain weight and is considered to be on the lower end of the average scale. In addition, Jessica faces many of the symptoms that those with anorexia experience as described by Comer in Abnormal Psychology. The main symptom that Jessica deals with as a result of anorexia is a form of anorexia called restricting-type anorexia nervosa where Jessica restricts her food

Eating disorders are complex, challenging, and sometimes life-threatening psychiatric illnesses. There are specific diagnostic criteria and symptoms a person must exhibit in order to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia. These symptoms primarily relate to a disturbance in eating pattern, weight loss, an intense fear of being fat, and a disturbed body image. The etiology of eating disorders is not clearly understood, but psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors need to be considered. The treatment approach for anorexia nervosa and bulimia is also challenging and can present with serious medical complications and potentially death if not properly addressed. Recovery is possible, and the case study of Jenni Schaefer, who suffered from anorexia nervosa, binge-purge subtype since her childhood is presented to share this message of hope. More research is needed to help further understand the characteristics, cause, and treatment of eating disorders.

The biggest concern that doctors want to help with is any health problems the person may have from not eating. Doctors also want to give their patients a healthy weight, as well a proper meal plan (Anorexia Nervosa Causes). They do this so their patients know what to eat and still feel healthy. Dietitians are also used for the purpose of informing patient too. Doctors and dietitians can help with the physical part of Anorexia Nervosa, but therapists usually help with the mental part of the disease. Therapy will help with any depression or suicidal thoughts, which is necessary to keep patients safe life threatening situations (Nordqvist). All in all, doctors, dietitians, and therapists are needed to help someone with Anorexia become healthier and have a better relationship with food and their body (Find Best

Objective: To describe eating patterns, eating behaviors, to highlight some of the problem people face when dealing with an illness or a disorder, adult struggle more from eating disorder. Some reason why it is more difficult is because of work, taking care of their house whole and family; this illness is a relentless pursuit of thinness, a misrepresentation of body image and intense fear of gaining weight, and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight, even when they are starved or are clearly malnourished. Eating food and weight control

The focus of this essay will be to examine the challenges a psychotherapist faces when working with eating disorders. Whilst acknowledging eating disorders can include overeating I will base the essay around anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. I will look at the various theories around the subject as well as provide examples of my own experience working within this field.

What is in-patient and out-patient care: Anorexia nervosa is related with severe medical sickness and marked psychosocial comorbidity. It has the highest humanity rate of all mental illnesses and degeneration happens often. The general occurrence of anorexia nervosa is at least eight people per 100 000 per year, with an average prevalence of 0·3% in girls and young women. The severity and low occurrence of the condition are reasons why large randomised exact trials are needed and why troubles arise in carrying out of treatment studies. In adults with anorexia nervosa, some indication shows the success of outpatient focal psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. In one trial, at the end of the treatment period, a supportive therapy delivered by specialists was superior to two specific psychotherapies, with reverence to a joint global outcome measure. Patients enter inpatient care mostly from prior ambulatory care such as referral from a family doctor, or through emergency medicine departments. The patient officially becomes an “inpatient” at the writing of an admission note. Outpatient care is medical care provided on an outpatient basis as well as diagnosis, surveillance, consultation, treatment,

In society today, eating disorders are rapidly gaining attention due to high fashion and tabloid glorification of it. The three main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Each of these are disorders are extremely dangerous and can lead to not only physical problems, but psychological problems as well. The physical problems associated with these disorders can extend in their severity to the point of death. Eating disorders are more commonly seen in females, but men can suffer from them as well. Except for binge eating, this in terms of statistics is seen equally in men and women. There are varied treatment options for these disorders, including specialized hospitals, medication, psychotherapy, nutrition education and support groups. Eating disorders do not only take a great toll on the sufferer, but also on friends and family who surround that individual. Anorexia nervosa stands apart from the other two eating disorders aforementioned in the sense that this disorder is not solely about the food, but more so, an unhealthy way that an individual copes with emotional problems (Medline,2014).

Many people, mainly woman experience the feeling of being fat. This feeling is a key factor for diagnosing anorexia nervosa (AN). AN is characterized by severe and serious disorders of self-perception of their body and the determined pursuit of thinness. This disorder was first discovered by Morton in 1689. AN was believed to be a form of hysteria but then was thought to be a hereditary abnormality of the central neurological system that only appeared in young females. The term Anorexia Nervosa was established in 1883 by Huchard, and Sigmund Freud hypothesized that anorexia was associated with melancholy and most often it appeared in sexual immature females. AN is appearing more in the recent decades than any decades in the past. This disorder is found amongst both genders but is more prevalent in females. It occurs 10-20 times more in females than it does in males and is mainly in developed countries. (Wozniak, Rekleiti,& Roupa, 2012). Anorexia Nervosa is found to have significant life impairment and a negative effect of Quality of Life. Eating disorders have a higher mortality rate than any other mental illness. The low recovery rate and high mortality rate is worse in restricting Anorexia Nervosa than any other eating disorder. (Sy, 2013.) According to the DSM-IV-TR handbook some criterions for this disorder are as follows, criterion A (“the refusal to maintain a body weight

I am now beginning to understand the proper ways that I can evaluate and help when I am faced with seeing someone struggle with the disorder. Eating disorders can be a sensitive subject and are often talked about in joking manners. I want to be prepared for facing a serious situation the needs treatment. Stunkard, A. J. & Messick, S. (1988). Eating Inventory. San Antonio, TX: Pearson.

This allows for the restoration of an appropriate weight through specifical meal plans and calorie requirements (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Overall, recovery requires both a diet change and a change in one’s mentally. Anorexics can require the help of mental health professionals such as a psychologist or psychiatrist in their recovery. Anorexia usually has emotional causes that a mental health professional can help a patient better cope with (Anorexia Nervosa-Cause, n.d.). This helps aid the patient in developing healthier eating habits and not relapse. In individual therapy, a mental health professional can one on one “help change the patient’s distorted beliefs and thoughts that maintain the restrictive eating” (Anorexia Nervosa-Cause, n.d.). This treatment can occur either in an outpatient program once a week or in an inpatient program in a psychiatric hospital (Anorexia Nervosa-Cause, n.d.). Especially for teens, family-based therapy can be helpful. This form of therapy allows for the parents of the child to aid in treatment by helping them aid in the healthy eating and weight restoration until their child is able to continue on their own (Mayo Clinic Staff,

about healthy eating and proper nutrition. Counselling is crucial to anorexia treatment. Its goal is to

What is anorexia? Is it just skipping dinner? Or maybe not having that last slice of pizza? It is a disease that can’t be cured with any medication because it is an idea. The idea that if you don’t lose the weight you will never be loved by anyone. It isn’t something people joke about or even talk about in reality. You hear stories about people who die from it, but it does not stop newbies from succumbing to the idea.

The treatment process for anorexia is much more complex and intricate then that of bulimia’s. “The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is helping the person recognize that they have an illness. Most people with anorexia deny that they have an eating disorder. They often seek treatment only when their condition is serious” (1). With treating anorexia nervosa, the main goals are to regain normal eating habits and gain the healthy weight needed for the person’s height and age. According to Medlineplus, “Different programs have been designed to treat anorexia. These may include... increasing social activity, reducing the amount of physical activity, and using schedules for eating” (1). The person may also have to stay in the hospital for a few days and follow it up with a treatment program. Sometimes a hospital stay is longer than anticipated if, the person has lost around 70% of their recommended body weight, weight loss continues even after starting treatment, medical complications (heart problems, confusion, or low potassium levels, and suffers from severe depression or thoughts of suicide (1). There are also talk therapies provided to people with anorexia such as, cognitive therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. The goals of talk therapy is to change the beliefs of the person with the disorder and encourage them to eat in a healthier way. The last thing used is

An individual with Anorexia Nervosa or any other eating disorder has many visible and invisible symptoms. Observed is the individual losing weight rapidly and dangerously, but not only are physical changes occurring. Other factors that can be affected by the individual experiencing Anorexia Nervosa are poor body dissatisfaction, social comparison, low self-esteem, and depression in eating disturbances (Green et al., 2009). The factors mentioned would fit into the mental challenges category compared to physical. Although these characteristics cannot be physically seen they can still be observed in how the individual expresses himself/herself to others. A previous study showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between eating disorders and unipolar depression, in which depression is a predictor for an eating disorder (Green et al., 2009). Depression like eating disorders has visible characteristics that can be observed and learned by others. Depression can be classified as a mental challenge that an individual with Anorexia Nervosa experiences. An individual experiencing depression can express symptoms to others and can therefore also be observed. The link between unipolar depression and eating disorders provides information relating to one of the mental challenges experienced and provides one of