Anorexia Nervosa Disorder commonly referred to in-short as “Anorexia” is an eating disorder characterized by a loss fifteen percent or more of original body weight. The psychiatric diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa applies to persons refusing to maintain a body weight considered appropriate for a person's age and height. Intense and obsessive fear of gaining weight, and more specifically becoming obese, leads to extreme weight control measures including: self-induced starvation, vomiting, purging, and abuse of diuretic drugs, diet pills, and even such dangerous appetite-suppressing amphetamines as cocaine. Anorexia Nervosa Disorder stems from contributing genetic factors, depression, low self-esteem, and distorted body image.


Anorexia Nervosa Classifications

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association there are two types of Anorexia Nervosa. The restricting type of Anorexia Nervosa is represented by a person whom has not actively pursued binging, purging, self-induced vomiting or the dangerous abuse of laxatives, diuretics, recreational drugs, or enemas. The binge-eating or purging type of Anorexia Nervosa is represented by a person whom has established a pattern of binging and purging behavior including self-induced vomiting, the intended overuse of laxatives, diuretics, recreational drugs, or enemas.

No matter the type of Anorexia Nervosa, one essential element remains: a distorted view of one's body and relationship to food.

The causes of Anorexia Nervosa are often a combination of more than one and often several of the following categories: Genetics, Neurobiological, Nutritional, Psychological, Social, Environmental, and Cultural.


Genetics

Studies indicate that genetic factors may influence up to fifty percent of variance for development of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa. Studies with experiments on mice and rodents have generally been dismissed as inaccurately testing hypotheses and cultural and social factors endemic within the disorder.


Neurobiological

Studies suggest the possibility that correlations between the neurotransmitter serotonin and various psychological functions such as: mood, sleep, anxiety, sexuality, and appetite. Anorexia can be linked to a disruption in the flow or regulation of Serotonin to specific receptors of the brain. One hypothesis holds starvation is a repsonse to the overstimulation of these receptors by reducing tryptophan and steroid levels at these pinpoint locations. The resulting effect is a lowering of serotonin at these receptors, as well.


Nutritional

The deficiency of zinc has been shown to cause a decrease in appetitie and can be referred to as a “malnutrition-induced malnutrition”. A diet deficient in zinc and reintroduced to this mineral has shown in several studies to directly increase body mass specifically in the treatment of Anorexia. Additional nutrients that display mass growth influences in treatment include tyrosine, tryptophan, and thiamine (Vitamin B1).


Psychological

The psychological factors that determine a persons susceptability or tendency of affection to Anorexia Nervosa Disorder are varied. Research shows that a person struggling with Anorexia has difficulty in the processing of perception data not experienced by those unaffected by anorexia. The acute and detailed attention upon their own shape, size, and lack of durability, attractiveness, and even self-control are viewed predominantly with negative perspective. The lack of balance between confidence and ego, critical assessment and foresight contributes to high levels of obsession about food, restraint from eating food, and almost pathological pursuit of perfection and control. Accompanying disorders commonly found amongst anorexia patients include: depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, and personality disorders. Chronic low self-esteem and inability to cope appropriately with certain emotional states, or mood intolerance may create a platform for anorexia to develop.


Social, Environmental, and Cultural

The promotion of thinness in Western culture and society is often deemed a major contributor to the advent and causes of anorexia nervosa disorder. Media including television, print, an internet have increased the exposure of the general population to supposedly idealized forms of beauty and attractiveness. The highest tendency to be influenced by anorexia are found amongst models and dancers and industries that focus upon the Western-influence image of ideal body image. Members of wealthy, white families show greater risk, as well. Studies indicate a high-rate of sexual abuse amongst those with anorexia disorder though no conlusive evidence suggests this as a pre-cursor to the disorder. Those that showed a history of such sexual abuse did display more chronic and serious anorexic symptoms.

The effects of Anorexia Nervosa are serious and wide-ranging. Of any known psychiatric disorder Anorexia may have the highest mortality rate. Approximately ten-percent of known diagnosed cases of the disorder eventually die of related causes and complications. The suicide rate of people with anorexia nervosa is higher than that of the general population and is purported to be a major cause of death for those affected by the disorder. Data suggests that less than one-half recover in full, one-third improve their conditions, and twenty percent remain chronically ill.

Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa

Signs of Anorexia include:

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. Weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of what is expected. See calculation of Body Mass Index.
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• Distorted view of one's body weight or shape. Undue influence of body weight or shape on self evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.


• Amenorrhea in females for at least 3 months.

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

Typically, the first health care professional to diagnose anorexia or bulimia is a family doctor, pediatrician or internist. After an initial assessment, the person may be referred to either a specialist in eating disorders or an eating-disorder center, which usually provides such specialists as:

* Psychiatrists
* Psychologists
* Clinical social workers
* Nurses
* Dietitians

In extreme cases for anorexia treatment, patients may need to stay in a hospital or other facility where their nutritional status can be carefully restored. Facilities also provide counseling to help the person with emotional issues and challenges that can impede the recovery process. In recent years, day programs have become more popular. Patients spend 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, at the facility, where weight and eating are closely monitored. Anorexic patients often can be treated on an outpatient basis, to minimize disruption of work or school schedules.

EatingDisordersOnline.com does not make recommendations for Anorexia treatment nor dispense medical advice; only a physician is qualified to determine the proper treatment for any patient. We present the following information for general education purposes only.