Personality factors are internal components, factors that are intrinsic within a person’s being. Several studies have identified personality traits that are common within anorexics and may be predictive factors for the disorder. Bastiani et al (1994) studied the role of perfectionism in Anorexia. They initially believed that perfectionism would be common among those with Anorexia because the disorder is often associated with structure and and high expectations. Perfectionism has been described as “…self-oriented perfectionism includes behaviors such as setting exacting standards for oneself and stringently evaluating and censuring one 's own behavior.” (Hewitt & Flett, 1991) The study used three different measures. The first was the Eating …show more content…
As Bastiani et al noted: “perfectionism may be an innate personality characteristic both existing in a malnourished state and persisting after nutritional rehabilitation.” An interesting result was that the control group scored similarly to the anorexic groups on the parental expectation sub-scale of Frost’s MPS and similarly on the Other-oriented perfectionism sub-scale of Hewitt’s MPS which suggests that this perfectionism is internal and not due to the expectations of others. This makes sense because Anorexia is intrinsically about control and exerting control by restricting what the body intakes. Perfectionists are more likely to need control in their life, and so especially if other facets of their lives are spinning out of control, eating is one way that they can retain …show more content…
The results showed that the heritability of AN was .56 within the narrow DSM-IV criteria and .31 within the broad DSM-IV criteria. The narrow criteria was the full DSM-IV criteria while the broad criteria was the full DSM-IV criteria with the exception of amenorrhea. This distinction is especially interesting due to the fact that the current DSM-V no longer requires amenorrhea to reach the full diagnostic criteria. The study’s result shows that heritability may have a significant impact on the development of Anorexia
To begin, Rys proposes that one of the main psychological factors of anorexia is the unknown identity of oneself and the ideal image of a woman. In this present day, media is everywhere. Women are constantly trying to change themselves to become the image that the population as a whole...
Anorexia nervosa is a psychosociological disease which affects young women. Anorexia is mainly a female's disease which has been evident for centuries-however, in the past twenty years, the incidence of this disorder has risen to horrifying proportions. It is characterized by the refusal to maintain body wight over a minimal normal weight for age and height; intense fear of gaining weight; a distorted body image; and, amenorrhea. (http://www.pgi.edu/hagopian.htm) This disorder becomes a disease when the mind starts to cause problems with one's physical well-being. A connection has been found between sociocultural pressures to achieve, familial characteristics, and individual personality traits.
"Anorexia Nervosa--Part I." Harvard Mental Health Letter. Feb. 2003: 1-4. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.
While certain personal values or characteristics can increase the likelihood for social comparison, no personality trait causes anorexia nervosa. Anorexics are described as “perfectionists,” or “rebels.” Anorexia nervosa is often called the “rich girl’s syndrome.” Unfortunately, by using language that falsely links personality traits with the onset of anorexia, the blame is put on the patient. As Sontag points out, these metaphors can be incredibly damaging for the patient and can hinder the treatment and healing process or discourage one to seek treatment at all (Sontag
There is no known exact cause of either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but many factors play a role in the initial onset, such as: personality traits, low self-esteem, and social and cultural influences (Costin, 21). Many anorexics have specific personality traits that urge them to refrain from eating. Many are perfectionists that will diet and exercise and not eat until their bodies are perfect. Unfortunately, however, he or she never thinks their body is perfect, and continues their destructive cycle. Anorexics that are perfectionists also tend to want to be in control at all times. Often , they feel as though others are trying to force them to do
Christy Greenleaf, assistant professor of kinesiology, health promotion and recreation at University of North Texas, stated, “Girls and women, in our society are socialized to value physical appearance and an ultra-thin beauty that rarely occurs naturally and to pursue that ultra-thin physique at any cost.” Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among young women. Furthermore, one in every ten people with anorexia will die from a complication brought on by the disorder. Although Anorexia is a mental illness, it is most common in teenage females because it is incited by the media through the fashion industry and pro-anorexia websites.
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by severe restriction of food, an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image and a body mass index of less than 18.5 (Kring, Johnson, Davison, Neale, 2013). There are two subtypes of anorexia, Restricting and Binge Eating/Purging. An individual who falls under the Restricting subtype severely restricts food intake, while an individual who falls under the Bing Eating/Purging subtype regularly engages in binge eating and purging. Anorexia typically begins in adolescence and primarily affects women. The disorder is more common in women than in men mainly because of the cultural emphasis that is placed on women’s beauty. Individuals with anorexia generally have a low self-esteem, a very critical self-evaluation and a belief that they can never be too thin. Due to the seriousness of the disorder, the issue of whether or not an individual should have the right the refuse life-sustaining treatment is highly debated.
...ere is currently limited research that examines the relationship between personality traits and exercise dependence. Previous research has been conducted on personality disorders or specific personality traits in which those with eating disorders display. Though some researchers found Narcissism, Obsessive compulsive traits and Perfectionism to be some of the personality traits occurring among those with eating disorders the results are not conclusive and have not been looked at in regards to those with Orthorexia Nervosa. With this new emerging subtype of eating disorder, Orthorexia Nervosa, and lack of knowledge regarding the disease the purpose of this study will be to examine if personality traits such as Narcissism, Obsessive compulsive, and Perfectionism exist among those who display signs and qualities of Orthorexia Nervosa and Exercise addiction/ dependence.
Out of all mental illnesses found throughout the world, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate. Anorexia nervosa is one of the more common eating disorders found in society, along with bulimia nervosa. Despite having many definitions, anorexia nervosa is simply defined as the refusal to maintain a normal body weight (Michel, 2003). Anorexia nervosa is derived from two Latin words meaning “nervous inability to eat” (Frey, 2002). Although anorexics, those suffering from anorexia, have this “nervous inability to eat,” it does not mean that they do not have an appetite—anorexics literally starve themselves. They feel that they cannot trust or believe their perceptions of hunger and satiation (Abraham, 2008). Anorexics lose at least 15 percent of normal weight for height (Michel, 2003). This amount of weight loss is significant enough to cause malnutrition with impairment of normal bodily functions and rational thinking (Lucas, 2004). Anorexics have an unrealistic view of their bodies—they believe that they are overweight, even if the mirror and friends or family say otherwise. They often weigh themselves because they possess an irrational fear of gaining weight or becoming obese (Abraham, 2008). Many anorexics derive their own self-esteem and self-worth from body weight, size, and shape (“Body Image and Disordered Eating,” 2000). Obsession with becoming increasingly thinner and limiting food intake compromises the health of individuals suffering from anorexia. No matter the amount of weight they lose or how much their health is in jeopardy, anorexics will never be satisfied with their body and will continue to lose more weight.
Anorexia is rooted in both nature and nurture. The nature and nurture are sometimes based on the bad genes of the father and the mother. The bad genes produce faulty neurotransmitters and circuits.(“Case”)
“We are in a society that suggests we must be perfect in everything,” says Meehan(1996,p.1), founder and president of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated disorders. She says we feel that we must somehow live up to these unrealistic standards. In turn, if we meet this ideal, then we feel bad about are looks. This can lead up to a behaviour that harms rather then helps. One girl who suffered from anorexia said,” I really didn’t feel like I was good at anything. Even though I made straight A’s, it seemed like I was never in control. Food was the on...
Johnson, Craig, and Cynthia Bulik. "Genetics Play a Significant Role in Eating Disorders." Eating Disorders. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Brave New World: The Role of Genetics in the Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders." www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/pfanbn/genetics.html. 2002. 36-40. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.
People who have anorexia will often deny that anything is wrong. Almost half of people who have anorexia will eventually develop symptoms, binge-purge behav...
Anorexia nervosa is a disease in where a person drastically restricts their caloric intake to practically nothing as a method of weight control. They often view themselves in a heavier distorted version as well as fear of gaining weight. Those that are living with anorexia develop eating rituals along with excessive exercise. Their personality consist of being rigid, anxious, perfectionist, and obsessed with order. The key word, in my opinion, is perfectionist, they set high standards for themselves that it literally becomes an obsession to maintain that standard such as restricted eating. This may be related to high sense of self efficacy since they believe they are capable in maintaining those standards set by themselves. Although, I also feel that they may also have a weak sense of self-efficacy since they anticipate the fear of gaining weight. This envision of what they would consider the worst fear is similar to how the cognitive process of self-efficacy is invoked. Personally, I feel that anorexia nervosa may be associated to a combination of both strong and weak self-efficacy, but there does not seem to be any research supporting this theory. Perhaps this may be a possible area in future research in diagnosing an eating