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Health: What is Anorexia Nervosa?

August 1, 2008 – 11:00 pm

Anorexia Nervosa is commonly known as simply anorexia. It is the best known eating disorder. Anorexia means ‘loss of appetite’. It affects especially adolescent females. Patients having anorexia believe that they are overweight. They have the intense of becoming fat or wanting to be thin. Becoming thin is the most important thing for them and health is not a concern. They go to extremes to avoid weight gain and make harsh diets. They deny having a problem. In the world eating disorders are more common in middle and upper socioeconomic groups. There is not any home remedy. If the illness is not treated, it could get worse and sometimes threatens the life of the patient. Treatment is essential for these people.

 

Causes of Anorexia
The exact cause is not known. But some researches think that a combination of factors contribute the illness. Here is a list of some possible causes of anorexia:

- Genetic and Biological Factors
Medical communities are examining both genetic and biological factors of anorexia by searching for genes and some gene candidates. The results of these studies have shown that genetic and biological factors may play a role in the developing an eating disorder. According to some researchers women whose biological mother or sisters have the disorder are 12 times more likely than others.

- Psychological factors
People with some personality disorders (panic, obsessive compulsive or sensitivity disorder) are more vulnerable to anorexia than others. They are not happy and always feel uncomfortable.
a. Perfectionism: It is a psychological disorder. It plays an important role in anorexia. People with anorexia (anorexic) criticize themselves excessively. These people do not like themselves. They want to have a perfect body. They think that being overweight is equated with ugliness. They see themselves inadequate, helpless and worthless. They starve themselves to lose weight.
b. Low self esteem: People with anorexia have low self esteem. Their low self esteem is closely tied with their physical appearance. Being thin becomes a means of overcoming the low self esteem for them.
c. Depression: Generally depression leads to eating disorders. Up to 80 percent of women with anorexia have depression.

- Social Influences
In some cultures people think that being thin is the most important part of beauty. Thinness is equated with success, money and beauty.
a. Media Factor: Most of the famous people are underweight. People with anorexia want to look like models, actresses or dancers. Researchers think that the media play a part in the development of the illness. Most of the TV network characters are very thin. Media emphasize thinness as part of the ideal appearance of an attractive woman.
b. Family Factor: Some parents criticize their children’s bodies and appearance. If the family members repeatedly diet, the development of an eating disorder in an adolescent is not a surprise.
c. Peer pressure: The other important factor is peer pressure. It affects especially pre-teens and adolescents. Generally eating disorders begins in adolescence with strict dieting and rapid weight loss. About 1 in 100 adolescent girls suffer from anorexia in the world.