Anorexia Nervosa

Katie HughesMarley RobertsSandra Arroyo-Becker

What Is Anorexia? An eating disorder

in which individuals purposely starve themselves, diet or exercise too much, or use other methods to lose weight.

What Are The Symptoms? Intense fear of weight

gain Use of pills (laxatives,

suppressants, diuretics) Extreme sensitivity to

cold Loss of bone strength Blotchy or yellow skin Cutting food into small

pieces or moving them around the plate instead of eating

Who’s More Susceptible? It is more common

in females, but may also be seen in males. The disorder is seen mainly in white women who are high academic achievers and who have a goal-oriented family or personality.

How Can It Be Treated? Cognitive behavioral

therapy (a type of talk therapy), group therapy, and family therapy have all been successful.

Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers

Support groups

What If It Goes Untreated? Bone weakening Decrease in white blood cells,

which leads to increased risk of infection

Low potassium levels in the blood, which may cause dangerous heart rhythms

Severe dehydration Severe malnutrition Seizures due to fluid or

sodium loss from repeated diarrhea or vomiting

Thyroid gland problems Tooth decay Death (10% of cases)

Relation to Biological LoA High levels of

cortisol (hormone related to stress)

Low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine

May be a genetic trait

Relation to Cognitive LoA

Overachieving/goal oriented personalities

Perfectionists

Relation to Socio-Cultural LoA Societal norms

(Western culture encourages thin appearance)

Activities which require individual to be thin (modeling/ballet)

Stressful life situations

Discussion Questions 1. What activities/professions can you

think of that could pressure people to maintain a thin appearance?

2. 3. 4. 5.

Works Cited PubMed Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

pubmedhealth/PMH0001401/