'Anorexia nervosa' means 'loss of appetite
for nervous reasons'. However, this
is misleading because people with anorexia
nervosa, may have a normal appetite, but
drastically control their eating and do
not satisfy their appetite. The person with
anorexia may have an intense fear of gaining
weight and losing control of their body
shape. Their focus on food becomes a means
of controlling life. They may feel
life is just happening to them and what
they eat is the one part of their life they
are able to control.
To exercise control
over their body shape, the person with anorexia
may use restrictive dieting and/or intense
exercise programmes. They may also
use laxatives and diuretics.
People with anorexia
do not wish to starve themselves to death
but may deny the seriousness of a very low
body weight.
Although it is likely
that there is some link to the modern importance
on being thin, the causes of anorexia nervosa
are complex and are also linked to feelings
of control and self-worth.
Anorexia nervosa often
starts in teenage years and may be a means
for dealing with the complex emotions associated
with becoming an adult.
Although 90% of people
with anorexia are female, anorexia nervosa
is found in males, all ages, in all social
and almost all cultural groups.
It is difficult to
estimate how widespread the disease is,
but surveys suggest that 1% of young girls
(age 15-25) have anorexia nervosa.
Causes
There is no single
cause of anorexia nervosa, it is a complex
condition probably caused by a variety of
factors. These factors may include:
Social pressures to
be thin and to be sexually attractive. Anorexia
is triggered by weight loss usually beginning
as a normal weight reducing diet. Young
girls may try to conform to unnatural levels
of thinness, in a desire not to stand out
and so make themselves a target for bullying (in
societies, which do not associate thinness
with sexual attractiveness, eating disorders
are rare)
There is an increased
risk in families with a history of anorexia.
This may indicate a genetic predisposition.
Research suggests
that genetics plays a part in developing
an eating disorder.
Personality: there
is a tendency for the person with anorexia
to have a conformist, organised, and hard
working personality. They may be mildly
obsessive and tend towards tidiness.
Family relationships:
the families of anorexics are often high
achieving with high expectations of their
children. Parents may be very controlling.
Attitudes to stresses
occurring outside the home may be a factor.
Typical stresses include exam pressures
and feelings of rejection arising from difficulties
with friends or relationships with members
of the opposite sex.
Research suggests
that eating disorders may develop partly
in response to difficult life experiences
such as sexual or physical abuse, being
bullied or suffering bereavement when growing
up.
Confusion with sexuality
and sexual identity may be a factor with
the individual unconsciously trying to return
to the stage before puberty by making themselves
smaller and losing their secondary sexual
characteristics.
Treatment
Anorexia is a serious
and complex illness and usually requires
specialist medical care.Treatment options
are best discussed with a G.P. who will
be able to advise if specialist help is
needed. Advice can also be sought from specialist
Eating Disorder help lines.The G.P. may
refer the person to an Eating Disorders
Unit.
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Anorexia Nervosa
