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Neurodiversity Spotlight: Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa Details:

More commonly known as anorexia, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image that is accompanied by an irrational fear of gaining weight.  As a result of their strong need to lose weight, anorexia patients take on extreme diets and use unhealthy means to lose the inadequate calories through medications like diuretics and laxatives or intense exercise. 

Anorexia nervosa has three core causes that stem from biological, phycological, or environmental aspects. Oftentimes, genetically computed traits such as OCD and psychological causes like obsessive compulsive personality traits are linked to anorexia.  In addition to these causes, environmental standards composed of social norms result in individuals resorting to extreme measures that characterize anorexia.  

Oftentimes, the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are visible.  However, it is important to also know the behavioral signs in order to catch the problem before irreversible effects occur to the body.  The most common behavioral changes are binge eating, constant states of guilt, compulsive behavior, over exercising, and isolation.  The result of these changes include weight loss, being extremely thin, and even more severe: vomiting, slowed heart rate, and slow growth. 


Common Treatments:

Typically, many layers of treatment are needed for individuals with anorexia.  The typical general treatment starts off with stabilization, which includes establishing routines that address changing habits.  This may include talking to a dietician to create a nutrition plan and a talk therapist to work on self esteem.  The second step of the general treatment is processing. In the processing phase, individuals with anorexia nervosa work to discover the roots of their illness that often involves clinician support to work on building confidence and understanding healthy behaviors to cope with deeper issues.  The final phase of general treatment is integration where individuals work to establish structure and routines in their lives to combat anorexia.  Sometimes, antipsychotics are also prescribed by a psychiatrist.

As for emergency treatment, when a certain BMI is best and the body mass index is far below what it should be, an individual with anorexia will be hospitalized to treat organ failure and can later be admitted to a treatment facility. 

According to Healthline, over 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder with depression as a co diagnosis.  Anorexia happens to lead with the highest mortality rate in not just eating disorders, but in all mental illnesses.  It is important that we educate ourselves on this disease so that we can support those who are living through it and catch the signs and symptoms before it becomes too late.

 

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