Anorexia Nervosa Body Image and Internalization Issues...

Description: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a distorted body image. The individual is severely underweight and thinks they are fat or has a fear of becoming fat (Comer, 2013). There are two types of anorexia. The first type is restricting-type anorexia. The individual restricts food intake to a dangerous degree. The second type is binge-eating/purging type anorexia. The individual purposely regurgitates after eating uses laxatives and/or diuretics (Comer, 2013). Females compose 90-95% of people suffering from anorexia nervosa (Comer, 2013). The typical age that an individual acquires anorexia nervosa is between 14 and 18 years old. However, it is possible to occur at any age (Comer, 2013). Patients diagnosed with anorexia†¦show more content†¦Other conditions that may appear include disruptions in electrolytes and in metabolism, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss or development of lanugo (fine hair), and cold feet and hands (Comer, 2013). Other serious conditions that can occur after prolonged periods may be heart failure or circulatory collapse (Comer, 2013). There are many emotional aspects of the disorder such as fear, self-esteem, and anxiety (Comer, 2013). Fear is the motivation for individuals to become anorexic. It can be fear of becoming fat, or of ‘giving in’ to appetite and eating. It could also be that the fear of losing control of body shape, size, or weight (Comer, 2013). Self-esteem fluctuates with how weight and size is perceived, and is often negative (Comer, 2013). Depression and anxiety may be a symptom while experiencing the disorder (Comer, 2013). Behavioral incidents include patterns of obsessive-compulsive disorder with food and/or exercise (Comer, 2013). Media is thought to be a risk factor for developing anorexia. The messages and images in the media expose women to ideas of the ‘ideal women’ being thin and attractive. Many women think that being thin is the only way to be considered attractive (Henderson Spettigue, 2004). Media impacts women in regards to how they feel about size, shape, or weight; eatingShow MoreRelatedEating Disorders And African American Women1944 Words   |  8 Pageswomen, and how they differ to those of other minority groups. Through research, it was found that eating disorders are not as known in African American women, or women of minority due to cultural differences. Different studies were analyzed of African American women at different colleges, to verify that eating disorders were prevalent in the sample groups. It was concluded in several studies that obesity rates, racial identity, and body image were the determining factors of the eating disordersRead MoreThe Prevalence, Etiology, And Treatment Of Eating Disorders2893 Words   |  12 Pages(Garner, Garfinkel, Schwartz, Thompson, 1980). Dissatisfaction with one’s own body a result of the increasingly thin depictions of female body shapes in the mass media has been mainly attributed to the Caucasian young fema le population (Striegel-Moore, Silberstein, Rodin, 1986). To date, there has been relatively little empirical research investigating the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of eating disorders in ethnic minorities. Additionally, studies investigating the direct link between acculturation