Anorexia Nervosa

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explains that anorexia nervosa, which mainly affects young women, is characterized by refusal to maintain body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and feelings of being fat even when the individual is emaciated. The writer points out that according to recent research, there are traits in individuals who develop this disorder that are considered risk factors and that may be treated early, such as low self esteem, body dissatisfaction and dieting. Further, the writer notes that if these risk factors are identified early and intervention is implemented, it may prevent a serious eating disorder from developing. The writer concludes that advocacy groups have been effective in reducing the number of media stories that glamorize being thin.

From the Paper:

"Anorexia nervosa primarily affects young women, with onset typically between the ages of 12 and 25 years, however numerous cases of new onset anorexia in elderly men and women have been reported. The prevalence of this disorder varies between 2 and 5 percent among adolescent and young adult women, and carries a mortality rate of 5 percent in the first two years, yet among untreated patients, mortality can approach 20 percent."
"A perfectionist lifestyle, punctuated by one or more performance-related stresses, predisposes an individual to anorexia nervosa, as does a family history of the disorder in female relatives. Moreover, individuals of upper-middle socioeconomic status are most often affected."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Anorexia Nervosa." National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved January 23 2007 from:http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7409
• Gold, Mark. "Anorexia and bulimia." American Family Physician. April 01 1990. Retrieved January 23 2007 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Hayes, Gerald L. "Male Anorexia Nervosa: A New Focus." Journal of Mental Health Counseling. October 01 2000. Retrieved January 23 2007 from HighBeam Research Library.

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