Question

Explain in the details of anorexia nervosa eating disorders. Also, how it affects the person and the current treatments

Answer 1

Anorexia nervosa:

Anorexia nervosa is a eating disorder as stated in the question. This leads to either severe weight gain or dangerous weight loss.
A person shall be considered anorexic when she or he restricts the food uptake to such an extent that then become thin or vice versa.

-Anorexia can be classified in to two types : One type called bulimia i.e. ''bingeing and purging;'' a person eats and then forcefully vomits.
The other type is people suffering from this restrict food seriously and go through poor health.

Factor causing Anorexia Nervosa :
- Psychological problems which might be due to inferiority complex about their own body shape and structure. Family problems, peer - pressure, sexual abuse.

Research has indicated that there is no genomic variant basis associated with anorexia. Even genomewide linkage studies has not found successful answer to it.

Although, there is no requirement of anti - depressant tablets. But, still doctors prescribe it because patient might undergo anxiety, social phobia etc.

Effects of anorexia on patients :
- Due to improper eating , there might be reduced strength in bones causing osteoporosis or stunted growth children.

- Heart is also a organ that gets affected where the blood flow through the body might reduce, Irregular heart Rythm including bradycardia and tachycardia, low blood pressure, shrinking of heart muscles due to reduced blood flow and malnutrition.

- Other implications include neurological problems which includs temporary or permanent nerve damage effecting the brain or other parts of the body, Gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, constipation and reflux. Multi-organ failure might occur in late stages of anorexia.
There are several help centers to provide therapies to patients. They help to: cope with feelings, understand nutrition etc.
Anorexia and Bulimia Care :
Beat: eating disorders
Mental Health Foundation
Mind: for better mental health
Joining a support group might help people with anorexia.

Therapies and treatments that play major role are :

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
Focal psychodynamic therapy (FPT)

All the above stated therapies involve patient alone or sometimes family and friends to help out the patient to come out of this. Here, the therapist talks to the patient by arranging several sessions based on the need of the hour.