Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by voluntary starvation and exercise stress. Anorexia nervosa is a complex disease, involving psychological, sociological and physiological components. A person who is suffering from anorexia is referred to as 'anorexic' or (less commonly) 'anorectic'. "Anorectic" is the noun form, where "anorexic" is the adjectival form. These two are often used incorrectly when applied. The term is frequently but incorrectly shortened to anorexia, which simply refers to the medical symptom of lost appetite.

Treatment

Successful treatment of, and recovery from, anorexia is possible, but it can take many years. The earlier intervention arrests the course of the disease, the more successful the treatment is likely to be. Anorexia nervosa has the highest death-rate of all mental illnesses, with as many as 20% of anorexics eventually dying of complications of the disease, usually from heart/organ failure or low levels of potassium. Once an anorexic reaches a certain weight, death becomes a very real possibility. The BMI (or body mass index) where this starts becoming a danger is generally around 12 to 12.5.(As a point of reference, a normal BMI is between 19 and 23, most "centrefold" models have a BMI of 18, and most fashion models come in at 17. An anorectic BMI is usually defined as being below 17.5.)

Related Topics:
Heart - Organ - Potassium - BMI

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Approaches include hospitalization, psychotherapy, specialised anorexia treatment-centres, and family counseling. The prescription of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants is also practiced. Support groups such as Overeaters Anonymous, which deals with eating disorders in general, can also be helpful.

Related Topics:
Psychotherapy - Family counseling - Psychotropic drug - Antidepressant - Overeaters Anonymous

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Appropriate treatment of any present vitamin and dietary-mineral deficiencies, particularly in the common case of zinc deficiency, may be highly beneficial to the sufferer's mental and physical well being.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Anorexia is notoriously hard to treat, with sufferers often either emphatically denying that they are ill or paradoxically, accepting that they have anorexia, but seeing nothing wrong with their "lifestyle choice". This latter view is evidenced by the growing number of "pro-ana" websites and discussion groups where self-identified "anorectics" come together to reinforce their beliefs and behaviours, creating a positive feedback loop.

Related Topics:
Pro-ana - Website - Feedback

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another difficulty in treating anorexia nervosa is the prevalence of relapse. For some people, anorexia may be a chronic disease.

Related Topics:
Relapse - Chronic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a study, within two years of hospital discharge, 35% of former anorexics had relapsed into anorexia.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The greatest risk for a relapse was anywhere from six to seventeen months after discharge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Anorexia is one of the most expensive illnesses to treat, with adequate care for the disease costing well over $100,000. Because of the high mortality rate of the disease, this is seen as a cost effective solution. Unfortunately, lengthy hospitalization is required to treat the disease adequately and many health care providers will not pay for adequate care. Hospitalization stays of 45 days are recommended for effective treatment, yet the usual stay that healthcare providers will pay for is 7 days, along with half the adequate amount of psychotherapy which is recommended.

Related Topics:
Mortality rate - Psychotherapy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Interacting with sufferers

The best help an anorexic can receive is unconditional love and empathy. Anorexia is fundamentally less about food than an individual's psychological need to feel safe ? in that he or she does not.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As is common among sufferers of some eating disorders, an anorexic may be very secretive about his or her disorder. Being confronted by another about it for the first time may result in feelings of panic and distress, so an informed and considerate caution is recommended. However it is important to remember that anorexia is a dangerous disorder that signifies chronic suffering in an individual ? it is important not to delay in seeking help for the person whom you believe has anorexia or bulimia. Researching the condition and consulting your local eating-disorder support-network are good beginnings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In handling an anorexic dependent, it is dangerous to "just force" him or her to eat without support. Eating for most anorexics is not as easy as "just eat" as with non eating-disordered people. While being firm is important, keep in mind that eating things which are not considered "safe" will most likely trigger fear and panic in the sufferer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~