ANOREXIA NERVOSA

BRIGITTE DIETZ

KATHRYN POWELL

MARY CAMPBELL

EXAMPLES IN MEDIA The Best Little Girl in the World, based

on a book by Steven Levenkron. Girl becomes anorexic to be a great

ballerina. She was hospitalized a few times and even arrested for stealing diet pills.

There are nearly 600 hundred books on anorexia between UIUC and the local public libraries.

SUSPECTED CAUSE Most start 'dieting' when their weight is

mentioned in a negative way A traumatic life event occurring, or the

want for attention can also lead to Anorexia.

. Anorexics then become very concerned about what they eat and how much they weigh. (Harmon, 1999).

TREATMENT OPTIONS (HOLISTIC) Psychiatrists and therapists also help

anorexics recover. Social problems often lead to Anorexia. Anorexic patients sometimes continue

Anorexia after treatment. This happens because of their

mental problems and social problems

TREATMENT OPTIONS (MEDICAL) Anorexics are taken to a hospital They are given food and medication and

monitored until deemed fit to leave. Patients are watched to ensure they

gain weight.. Medicine doesn’t help with gaining weight

It’s mostly for symptoms. (such as antidepressants.

TREATMENT OPTIONS (ENVIRONMENTAL) Psychiatrists and therapists can also

help the anorexic's environment to get betterThey help the anorexic feel more safe in

their environment. Family counseling would be an example

of this

STIGMAS  Dieting is seen as a natural part of of the American

life because people think that being thin is beautiful. If someone is overweight, then those who aren't overweight look down on them as lower, or stupider than skinnier people. People who are overly concerned about their weight to an unhealthy extreme are considered to have a eating disorder like anorexia (Erlanger, 1985). TV can play a big role in our culture, and it has a big influence over the way people think. One way anorexia can start is when a woman tries to look like the models and actors on the Television. Many times, actors and models themselves have an eating disorder so that they can look 'beautiful' on the TV. The media portrays being thin as the ideal, beautiful figure. This influences how people think about weight (Edlin, 2010).

INFLUENTIAL FACTORS

SYMPTOMS Depression Social with-drawl Fatigue Food obsession Heart and gastrointestinal complications Low kidney function Flaky skin Brittle nails Tooth loss Weight loss

SYMPTOMS (CONTINUED) Lowered body temperature Lowered blood pressure Slower heart rate Loss of menses Thinning hair Malnutrition Laugo

INFLUENCE ON OTHERS FAMILY LIFE- conversation revolve

around food and exercise. Family members eat more and gain weight

trying to coax the patient to eat more TYPICAL FAMILY REACTION-

Mother- usually immobilized, feels guilty frightened and late angry at her child, and usually gains the most weight

Father- typically feels confused, resentful, mystified, sorry for himself, and worried for his child.

INFLUENCE ON OTHERS (CONTINUED)

Siblings- feel disappointed with their anorexic sibling, afraid parents will give more attention to the patient, abusive to the patient, jealous of the attention given to the patient, and they go out of the way to prove they are the best child.

Patient- enraged, defensive of their anorexia when confronted, independent, powerful (they control family life), and secretly ashamed of themselves.