A psychological disorder characterized by a fear of having increased body weight, anorexia nervosa greatly affects young women age 15 to 19. The disorder should be treated right away because it can lead to serious health conditions like irregular heart rhythm and low blood pressure. The other effects of the disorder include dry skin, kidney failure as well as shortness of breath. To treat anorexic people, it is important to know more about the symptoms and diagnosis of this disorder.
The Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
The symptoms of anorexia nervosa include little food intake, obsession with nutrition and fat grams, sudden weight loss, strange eating habit, body image fixation as well as being underweight. In addition to these, anorexic people also use diuretics, laxatives and diet pills to decrease body weight. Compulsive exercising and fatigue are also signs that a person is suffering from this psychological disorder.
The Causes of the Disorder
There are different factors that contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa such as genetic and neurobiological factors. One of the genes that can cause the disorder is the norepinephrine transporter gene promoter. In addition, disturbance in the serotonin system also affects the development of anorexia.
Aside from neurobiological factors and genetic factors, nutritional factors like the increased zinc level in the body cause the disorder. Clinical depression, substance abuse as well as personality disorders cause anorexia. Another factor that contributes to the etiology of anorexia nervosa is social pressure. Many young women suffer from this disorder because thinness is preferred in some societies.
The Prognosis of the Disorder
One of the long-term risks of suffering from the psychological disorder is having suicidal attempts. Aside from suicidal tendencies, patients can also die because anorexia can lead to the failure of major body organs including the heart and the kidney.
Treatment
Anorexic people should be treated at the onset of symptoms. Treatments should focus on improving the body weight of the patient, addressing psychological disorders associated with anorexia such as depression as well as eliminating thoughts and behaviors that can cause the disorder. Antidepressants are helpful in treating anorexic individuals. Aside from medications, family based treatment is also helpful to prevent the prognosis of the disorder.
More Points on Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa has two types, namely the restricting type and the binge-eating type. Excessive exercising, dieting and fasting are the primary causes of the restricting type. On the other hand, patients with binge eating disorder misuse diuretics and laxatives. Self-induced vomiting is also a sign that a person suffers from binge eating disorder.
Anorexic people need the support of their family and friends. It is helpful that relatives always stay with the patient and make sure that the person is not having suicidal thoughts. Additionally, it is important that an individual with this disorder go out with friends to avoid suffering from clinical depression. If the disorder is not treated immediately, it is best that the patient be hospitalized so medical professionals can monitor the eating behavior of the patient.
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