Nadine Alvarado ART 3170 - 01: Anorexia Nervosa

 Anorexia Nervosa

What is Anorexia Nervosa? 

        Anorexia nervosa - frequently essentially called anorexia - is a dietary problem portrayed by a strangely low body weight, an extreme anxiety toward putting on weight and a contorted impression of weight. Individuals with anorexia put a high worth on controlling their weight and shape, utilizing outrageous endeavors that will quite often altogether slow down their lives. 

                                                                                        

 

                       Data/Statistics in Anorexia Nervosa 

• Is common more in women than men 

• 9% of the US population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime 

• 35%-57% of adolescent girls engage in crash dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, diet pills or laxatives

• About 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder commonly in Anorexia Nervosa 

• About 26% of individuals with eating disorders attempt suicide     

               

                                                     

                

                                                                Risk Factors for Youth 

•     Genetics: Those with a first - degree relative: a parent, sibling or child who had the disorder have a much higher risk of having anorexia nervosa

•  Excessive Dieting: Weight loss is often met with positive reinforcement. The need for affirmation can drive you to diet more severely, which can lead to an eating disorder. 

• Transitions: A new school, home, or job, a relationship breakup or a death of a loved one can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of developing an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa.

               

• Perfectionism: Setting an unrealistically high expectations for yourself. 

• Teasing and Bullying a person’s weight.

• Appearance Ideal Internalization: Buying into the message of the socially - defined “ideal/body” may increase the risk of an eating disorder by increasing the likelihood of dieting and food restriction.

                                               Short and Long Term Consequences

    With an individual having anorexia nervosa it could be hard to see signs and side effects since what is viewed as a low body weight is different for every individual, and a few people may not show up very meager. Likewise, individuals with anorexia frequently mask their slenderness, dietary patterns or actual issues.

Short Term:                                                                    Long Term:

• Weight Loss - Bone Weakening (Osteoporosis)
• Dehydration - Anemia (Lack of blood)
• Dry skin & hair - Seizures
• Nausea - Thyroid Problems
• Constipation - Lack of Vitamins and Minerals
• Fatigue Dizziness - Hair Loss
• Fainting - Tooth Decay
• Insomnia - Kidney Problems

                                                                             

    What can be done to treat someone with Anorexia Nervosa?

    Treatment options will vary depending on the individual’s needs. A person may receive treatment through residential care (outpatient care) or hospitalization depending on their current medical and mental health state. Treatment for anorexia most often involves a combination of the following strategies:

• Psychotherapy 
• Medication 
• Nutrition Counseling 
• Group and/or family therapy 
• Hospitalization 

  

Resources for Anorexia Nervosa 

    

    https://www.bulimia.com/topics/anorexia-hotline/ 

    Phone number: 1 (630) 577-1130 

    Operating hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm CST

    
    https://anad.org/get-help/about-our-support-groups/

    Join Support Groups 

    Scheduling Varies 

    Why is this issue important to me?

    This issue is important to me because throughout my whole 20 years of life I have been made fun of for my body type. Individuals have always told me: "You need to eat more" "You're so skinny" "Do you make yourself barf after you eat?" "Do you skip meals throughout the day?" Hearing those comments and questions ALL the time has made me insecure about being skinny and petite. However, I do not have anorexia nervosa, but I have been fallen into that category even though I don't have any symptoms of it. In my opinion my skinny body comes from genetics as everyone in my family has the same body type as me. It makes it difficult for me to accept and appreciate my body without having someone making a comment. It makes it difficult for me to shop for clothes as everything is too big and baggy which is frustrating for me. As the days go by I have learned to appreciate my body because that is just what I given and I should be grateful for it. I want to be able to one day help skinny girls like appreciate their bodies as they are beautiful.

References

    
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (2021, March 3). Eating Disorder Statistics | General & Diversity Stats | ANAD.

Anorexia nervosa - Symptoms and causes. (2018, February 20). Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591

Anorexia. (2017). PsychGuides.Com

https://www.psychguides.com/eating-disorder/anorexia/                                                                     

Stress

 Stress By Daniel Gutierrez Roman

What is stress? What causes stress? Where can stress be developed? Who does stress affect? When can someone feel stress?

-There are many definition in which we could all use to define stress. In some point in our lives we have all felt and have experienced a lot of pressure, tension, and mental or emotional strain. It sometimes could feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.

-We may feel a lot of pressure from our daily lives, our jobs may be starting to feel too demanding as we try and manage our schooling be stacked with homework as well as having to take care of a family. Stress can be caused by our jobs, our education or sometimes at home with our families, stress can be caused by just about anything. It's external cause that makes us stress and sometimes more commonly we overthink situations and stress ourselves out. A most recent event that has led to stress on a global scale was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Corona Virus led to nationwide quarantines, which affected multiple people such as small business owners who struggled to keep their businesses operating, anyone who was employed and their place of work closed down and being concerned with how bills were going to get paid, students who had a hard time adjusting to online learning and their grades began to slip, people being separated from their loved ones as well as those who lossed loved ones, and older adults who are concerned for their well being.

-Stress can affect anyone no matter the age, young or old. We all feel different types of stress. A college student may be feeling overwhelmed by having a lot of homework as well as a job to help support themselves, a child may have just broke one of their favorite toys and has no way of telling their parents, or someone may be at the end of their marriage and headed for a possible divorce. Stress is different for everyone in the stages of their lives.

How do I think stress can have an affect on society?

-I think stress can have an affect on society through the effects it could have on individuals. Granted not all stress is bad, some could be good such as for motivation to get work, projects or activities done as well as assist in the decision making process in the dangerous situations such as your fight or flight instincts. However to much stress or constant stress could lead to health issue both mental and physical. According to the National Institute of Mental Health,

"Over time, continued strain on your body from stress may contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety"

-Some people have a hard time managing their stress and often resort to different methods to try and help relieve their stress, unfortunately sometimes people result to drugs or alcohol. Having thoughts of suicide would be a result of being overwhelmed by stress 

-From a personal standpoint experiencing stress has made feel completely burnt out sometimes, as well as sometimes feeling dissociated with the world. Handling stress is different for everyone, speaking for myself rather than to continue trying to live with the things making me stressed and trying on figuring how I could make everything work, I let go, I quit my job and I've felt a lot better since then. Knowing myself and how much I stress and already having knowledge of the effects that stress can have on someone, before my stress got worse I assessed my life and made my decisions for my own well being.

Why do I think it is important to talk about stress?

-I think it is important to talk about stress because it would help us identifty the things in our life that are making us stressed in the first place. Below are graphs from the American Psychological Association (APA) which shows what different generations in America are stressed about (Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, Boomers, and Older Adults). 

-American Psychological Association "Stress In America"

References

From the National Institute of Mental Health - Nimh.nih.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet/20-mh-8125-imsostressedout_1.pdf.

5 Things You Should Know about Stress - Nimh.nih.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/stress/19-mh-8109-5-things-stress.pdf. 

“Stress in America™: Interactive Graphics.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/interactive-graphics.