The Image In The Mirror Essay, Research Paper

Thesis Statement: Anorexia Nervosa, a disturbing disease of denial, consisting of self

-imposed starvation and the intense fear of gaining weight, is becoming an epidemic

among many teenage girls due to the environment, biochemistry,

and personality of the individual.

I. The immediate environment, friends and family, directly influence the

development of anorexia.

A. Anorexics tend to come from families placing strong emphasis on food

and the family may have used food for purposes other than nourishment

such as a sign of love for the providers or used when family members

face unpleasant situations.

B. There is a greater risk of a person developing anorexia when a member of

their family has had the disorder or when a parent is either very thin or

obese.

C. Overly critical brothers and fathers of the girls weight and attractiveness

have a forceful impact on the development of anorexia.

D. Special dietary needs of a family member, emphasis on nutrition, and

power struggles over eating assist in the self-imposed starvation.

E. Nutritional labeling on the foods and mothers stocking their refrigerators

with low fat and no-fat foods may actually lead to eating problems.

1. The mothers eating habits greatly influence the daughters and it is

recommended that the daughters favorite foods are in the house.

2. The mother should invite her daughter to the grocery store to choose

some of her favorite fruits, vegetables, meats, and cereals.

3. Making this a routine can help provide a positive aspect on the

importance of nutrition.

F. It is important for family members to promote self-esteem in intellectual,

athletic, and social endeavors.

1. The parents should examine their own attitudes toward weight to

discover how they could be affecting the children.

2. Discussing the dangers of dieting, the value of moderate exercise,

and the importance of eating a variety of foods can help minimize the

chances of developing anorexia.

II. Biochemistry also contributes to the development of anorexia.

B. In the neuroendocrine system, a combination of the central nervous

and the hormonal systems, there are seriously disturbed mechanisms

in people with eating disorders.

1. The neuroendocrine system regulates sexual function, physical

growth and development, appetite and digestion, kidney functions

and emotions.

2. The common symptoms of anorexia directly relate to the disturbed

mechanisms in the neuroendocrine system.

3. Common symptoms such as serious depression, bingeing and

consuming large amounts of food and showing no noticeable weight

gain, and loss of menstrual periods are directly associated with the

disturbed neuroendocrine system that normally regulates these

functions.

B. There have been several chemicals found that can be directly related

to symptoms of anorexia.

1. The neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, key chemical

messengers in the central nervous system, are significantly

decreased in ill anorexic patients.

2. The decrease of the chemicals serotnin and norepinephrine cause

severe depression, one symptom of anorexia.

3. Another brain chemical found to be abnormal in people with anorexia

is the hormone vasopressin.

4. Vasopressin is what contributes to the obsessive-compulsive

behavior of the patients.

5. There have also been higher than normal levels of cortisol found in

anorexic patients, a brain hormone released in response to stress.

6. The high levels of cortisol are caused by a problem that occurs in or

near the hypothalamus.

7. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates

menstruation, eating, metabolism, body temperature and sleep.

8. It has not been established if anorexia causes the hypothalamus

disturbance or if the hypothalamus directly influences the occurrence

of anorexia.

9. By exploring the roles of chemicals played in the brain, the findings

are making it possible to explain why and how this disease is

occurring.

III. Personality traits are a source of psychological symptoms of anorexia

nervosa patients.

A. Anorexics tend to have self-critical and obsessional personality traits.

1. They are known for their compliant behavior and attainment of

good grades, and are often perfectionists.

2. There is often repugnance at sexual development.

3. Associated with the perfectionistic personality is an all-or-none

kind of reasoning and the setting of unattainable goals.

B. Family personality traits that encourage anorexia are enmeshment,

rigidity, overprotectiveness and inability to resolve conflict within the

family.

1. Thirty-six of 39 young female patients refer to their fathers as

emotionally distant.

2. Mothers of anorexics frequently suffer from depression, are

domineering, and intrude in the anorexics hour-to-hour-life.

IV. Antidepressant drugs, behavioral techniques, and psychotherapy are

the most frequently used treatments.

A. One successful medication used is the antidepressant fluoxetine,

because it affects serotonin function in the body which is significant in the

biochemistry of anorexics.

B. One behavioral technique used is a token system for food eaten,

consisting of reinforcements contingent on weight gain.

1. Behavioral techniques work especially well for social phobic behavior.

2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder has also been successfully treated with

behavioral techniques.

C. Psychotherapy is needed for the underlying emotional issues of the

anorexic and to help the patient begin to understand and cope with

their illness.

D. The combination of psychotherapy and medication has been found as an

effective treatment, and it prevents relapse after the medication is

discontinued.

E. When excessive and rapid weight loss, serious metabolic disturbances,

clinical depression or risk of suicide, or psychosis take place,

hospitalization may be necessary.

F. For emotional and psysiological treatment, there is a variety of experts

needed such as a nutritionist, an individual psychotherapist, a group/

family psychotherapist, and a psychopharmacologist- someone who

is knowledgeable about psychoactive medications useful in treating

the disorder.

V. Symptoms of anorexia are widespread and can sometimes be difficult to

pinpoint.

A. Excessive weight loss in a relatively short period of time and the

continuation of dieting although bone thin is one of the very common

symptoms.

B. There is usually an extreme dissatisfaction with body appearance and

the belief the body is fat, even though severely underweight.

C. Anorexics often show an unusual interest in food and the

development of strange eating rituals.

D. They are always collecting new recipes and preparing gourmet meals

for family and friends, but not eating the meals themselves.

E. Many anorexics abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer from serious

depression, eat in secret, and obsess over exercise.

F. Some use drugs particularly to stimulate vomiting bowel

movements and urination.

G. Following these symptoms are usually severe medical problems such

as premature osteoporosis, abdominal pain, lethargy, intolerance to

cold, impaired kidney functions, and impeded reproductive

development.

H. Bradycardia, a slower than normal heartbeat, is also a common

medical problem of young girls suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Concluding Statement: Dealing with the anorexics uncompromising

environment, complications in biochemistry, and intolerable personality traits is an

approach to diminishing the horrifying epidemic of anorexia

nervosa.

Rogers 1

The Anorexic Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Organization (ANRED) estimates

that approximately one in every 100 white females between the ages of 12 and 18 suffers

from anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa 12). The mortality rate of 6 to 18 percent makes

anorexia the most lethal psychiatric illness (Anorexia Nervosa). Anorexia is diagnosed

when a patient weighs at 15 percent less than expected (Barker 3). This usually begins in

young people around the time of puberty, and it appears to these precocious girls as a

way to take control of their bodies and gain approval from others (Eating Disorders 286).

Anorexics suffer from a seriously distorted body image and the refusal to maintain a

normal body weight (Boodman 4). Anorexia nervosa, a disturbing disease of denial,

consisting of self-imposed starvation and the intense fear of gaining weight, is becoming an

epidemic among many teenage girls due to the environment , biochemistry, and

personality of the individual.

Fear and ambivalence are characteristics of every meal to an anorexic woman(Mac

Sween 224). Anorexics become immensely anxious about situations where they have to

eat with other people or eat a meal someone else has prepared(Mac Sween 223). The

immediate environment, friends and family, directly influence the development of

anorexia. Anorexics tend to come from families placing strong emphasis on food and the

family may have used food for purposes other than nourishment such as a sign of love for

the providers or used when family members face unpleasant situations (Anorexia nervosa

15). There is a greater risk of a person developing anorexia when a

Rogers 2

person of the family has had the disorder or when a family member is either very thin or

obese(Anorexia Nervosa 15). Overly critical brothers and fathers of the girls weight and

attractiveness have a forceful impact on the development of anorexia (Eating Disorders

286). Special dietary needs of a family member, emphasis on nutrition, and power

struggles over eating assist in the self-induced starvation (Anorexia Nervosa 13).

Nutritional labeling on the foods and mothers stocking their refrigerators with low fat and

no-fat foods may actually lead to eating problems (Fitzsimmons 2). The mothers eating

habits greatly influence the daughters and it is recommended that favorite foods are in the

house (Fitzsimmons 3). The mother should invite the daughter to accompany her to the

grocery store to choose some of her favorite fruits, vegetables, meats and cereals

(Fitzsimmons 4). Making this a routine can help provide a positive aspect on the

importance of nutrition (Fitzsimmons 4). It is important for family members to promote

self-esteem in intellectual, athletic, and social endeavors (Fitzsimmons 5). The parents

should examine their own attitudes toward weight to discover how they could be affecting

the children (Fitzsimmons 4). Discussing the dangers of dieting, the value of moderate

exercise, and the importance of eating a variety of foods can help minimize the chances of

developing anorexia (Fitzsimmons 4).

Biochemistry also contributes to the development of anorexia nervosa. In the

neuroendocrine system, a combination of the central nervous and hormonal

Rogers 3

systems, there are seriously disturbed mechanisms in people with eating disorders (Eating

Disorders 286). The neuroendocrine system regulates sexual function, physical growth

and development, appetite and digestion, kidney functions and emotions. The common

symptoms of anorexia directly relate to the disturbed mechanisms in the neuroendocrine

system (Eating Disorders 286). Common symptoms such as serious depression,

bingeing and consuming large amounts of food but showing no noticeable weight gain,

and loss of menstrual periods are directly associated with the disturbed neuroendocrine

system that normally controls these functions (Barker 3).

There have been several chemicals found that can be directly related to symptoms of

anorexia. The neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, key chemical messengers

in the central nervous system, are significantly decreased in ill anorexic patients (Eating

Disorders 287). The decrease of the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine cause

severe depression, one symptom of anorexia (Eating Disorders 287). Another brain

chemical found to be abnormal in people with anorexia is the hormone vasopressin.

Vasopressin is what contributes to the obsessive-compulsive behavior of the patients

(Eating Disorders 287). There have also been higher than normal levels of cortisol found

in anorexic patients, a brain hormone released in response to stress. These biochemical

and genetic factors predispose some people to eating disorders such as anorexia (Eating

Disorders 286). The high levels of cortisol

Rogers 4

are caused by a disturbance that occurs in or near the hypothalamus (Eating Disorders

287). The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates menstruation, eating,

metabolism, body temperature and sleep (Anorexia Nervosa 15). It has not been

established if anorexia causes the hypothalamic disturbance or if the hypothalamus directly

influences the occurrence of anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa 15). By exploring the roles of

chemicals in the brain, the findings are making it possible to explain why and how this

disease is occurring (Eating Disorders 287).

Personality traits are a source of psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa (Garner

327). Anorexics tend to have self-critical and obsessional personality traits. They are

known for their compliant behavior and attainment of good grades, and they are often

perfectionists. There is often repugnance at sexual development (Garner 327).

Associated with the perfectionistic personality is an all-or-none kind of reasoning and the

setting of unattainable goals (Garner 327). Certain types of personalities also seem to

appear among the parents of anorexics. Family personality traits are enmeshment,

rigidity, overprotectiveness, and the inability to resolve conflict within the family

(Anorexia Nervosa 15). ?Thirty-six of 39 young female patients described their fathers as

emotionally distant,? says Margo Mame, associated clinical director of the Eating

Disorders Service at Newington Children?s Hospital in Conneticut.

Rogers 5

Mothers of anorexics frequently suffer from depression, are domineering, and intrude in

the anorexics hour-to-hour-life (Anorexia Nervosa 15).

The consequences of anorexia nervosa can be severe, with 1 in 10 cases leading to death

from starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide (Eating Disorders 284). Antidepressant drugs,

behavioral techniques, and physcotherapy are the most frequently used treatments. One

successful medication used is the antidepressant fluoxetine, because it affects the

serotonin function in the body which is significant in the biochemistry of anorexics (Eating

Disorders 287). One behavioral technique used is a token system for food eaten,

consisting of reinforcements contingent on weight gain (Garner 149). Behavioral

techniques work especially well for social phobic behavior and the obsessive-compulsive

disorder (Garner 466). Psychotherapy is needed for the underlying emotional issues of

the anorexic and to help the patient begin to understand and cope with their illness (Eating

Disorders 287). The combination of psychotherapy and medication has been found as an

effective treatment, and it prevents relapse after the medication is discontinued (Eating

Disorders 287). When excessive and rapid weight loss, serious metabolic disturbances,

clinical depression or risk of suicide, or psychosis take place hospitalization may be

necessary (Eating Disorders 287). For emotional and physiological treatment, there is a

variety of experts needed such as a nutritionist, an individual psychotherapist, a

group/family psychotherapist, and a psychopharmacologist – someone who is

Rogers 6

knowledgeable about psychoactive medications useful in treating the disorder (Eating

Disorders 287).

Symptoms of anorexics are widespread and can sometimes be difficult to

pinpoint. Excessive weight loss in a relatively short period of time and the continuation of

dieting although bone thin is one of the very common symptoms (Barker 3 ). There is

usually an extreme dissatisfaction with body appearance and the belief the body is fat,

even though severely underweight (Barker 3). Anorexics often show an unusual interest in

food and the development of strange eating rituals (Barker 3). They are always collecting

new recipes and preparing gourmet meals for friends and family, but not eating the meals

themselves (Eating Disorders 284). Many anorexics abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer from

serious depression, eat in secret, and obsess over exercise. Some use drugs particularly

to stimulate bowel movements and urination (Barker 3). Following these symptoms are

usually severe medical problems such as premature osteoporosis, abdominal pain,

lethargy, intolerance to cold, impaired kidney functions, and impeded reproductive

development (Fitzsimmons 3). Bradycardia, a slower than normal heartbeat, is also a

common medical problem of young girls suffering from anorexia nervosa (Boodman 4).

Anorexia nervosa is a complicated and mysterious disease. Researchers are continuing

the study of anorexics and how to prevent the occurrence of

Rogers 7

eating disorders. The central aim of anorexia is the elimination of physical pleasure and

food becomes symbolic of all desires and their objects (Mac Sween 222). Anorexia is an

attempt to resolve at the level of the individual body the irreconcilability of individuality

and femininity in a bourgeois patriarchal culture (Mac Sween 252). Dealing with the

anorexics uncompromising environments, complications in biochemistry, and intolerable

personality traits is an approach to diminishing the horrifying epidemic of anorexia nervosa.