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case study of anorexia
introduction of anorexia nervosa
case study of anorexia
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People who intentionally starve themselves suffer from an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. The disorder, which usually begins in young people around the time of puberty, involves extreme weight loss--at least 15 percent below the individual's normal body weight. Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced they are overweight. Sometimes they must be hospitalized to prevent starvation.
Deborah developed anorexia nervosa when she was 16. A rather shy, studious teenager, she tried hard to please everyone. She had an attractive appearance, but was slightly overweight. Like many teenage girls, she was interested in boys but concerned that she wasn't pretty enough to get their attention. When her father jokingly remarked that she would never get a date if she didn't take off some weight, she took him seriously and began to diet relentlessly--never believing she was thin enough even when she became extremely underweight.
Soon after the pounds started dropping off, Deborah's menstrual periods stopped. As anorexia tightened its grip, she became obsessed with dieting and food, and developed strange eating rituals. Every day she weighed all the food she would eat on a kitchen scale, curing solids into minuscule pieces and precisely measuring liquids. She would then put her daily ration in small containers, lining them up in neat rows. She also exercised compulsively, even after she weakened and became faint. She never took an elevator if she could walk up steps.
No one was able to convince Deborah that she was in danger. Finally, her doctor insisted that she be hospitalized and carefully monitored for treatment of her illness. While in the hospital, she secretly continued her exercise regimen in the bathroom, doing strenuous routines of situps and knee-bends. It took several hospitalizations and a good deal of individual and family outpatient therapy for Deborah to face and solve her problems.
Deborah's case in not unusual. People with anorexia typically starve themselves, even though they suffer terribly from hunger pains. One of the most frightening aspects of the disorder is that people with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even when they are bone-thin. For reasons not yet understood, they become terrified of gaining any weight.
...mply in terms of reliance upon subjugation to men. Her defiance of the custom of demurring in the presence of men stirs envy in Celie, who lacks Sofia's self-assurance, and who consequently advises an exasperated Harpo, to 'beat her' into submission. This is a point of growth for Celie who comes to realize that she has committed a 'sin against Sofia spirit'. Celie is becoming aware of the nature of her own oppression. She is able to analyze her own behavior and admit her jealousy of Sofia's ability to fight back against abuse and to resist male oppression. Here Walker, deftly illustrates the ease with which the cycle of abuse is perpetuated among the abused and the oppressed. In the story, Sofia, represents the indomitable spirit of the woman of color who is determined to be herself regardless of the pressure to submit to the indignities of prejudice and sexism.
I question as to how she was able to function at all being that underweight. I believe that it may have caused some other long-term health issues that were not mentioned in the lecture. Fisher mentioned that he did not want to give any medication to her as it would be intrusive, but there is currently no medication to treat anorexia as a specific medical condition. Though he did not give any medication, this disconnect caused me to question the validity of the treatment. I am also wondering as to how much her hospitalization could have impacted her condition later on. While at a young age babies are creating a perception of the world, it seems unlikely that the hospitalization could be the root and only cause of anorexia. Fisher mentioned that she was on a swimming team, which the act of being in a swimsuit during puberty could have had a stronger impact than what was seen on the outside. As talked about in class, her personality is in line with those who are likely to develop anorexia: perfectionistic, conformist, and a bizarre sense of pride. I wonder as to how much his sessions actually helped. He seemed to think that the sessions were the only thing that helped her improve. There are always external factors for everything and there is a strong likelihood that there were things which may have helped cause the recovery. In class we also mentioned the importance of family
...d the gravity of her situation. Portia De Rossi met the three criteria for an anorexia nervosa disorder binge-eating type at the age of 25. Her restrictive food intake through her diets impeded her from having a healthy body weight. As a result she was 85% less than her normal body weight. She also had an immense fear of gaining weight and recurred to purging and excessive exercise. Portia viewed herself to be “fat” even though she was already underweight due to her distorted point of view on body image and weight; all that matter to her was to be thin. Despite having symptoms that could also diagnose her with bulimia nervosa, there was still no clear proof she fulfilled all the criteria for this disorder. However, what clearly differentiated her from being diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa was her low weight which was below 85% of normal weight.
Newcomb, Pippa. "Anorexia's Open Secrets." Irish Times 10 Mar. 2009: n. pag. EBSCO Host. Web. 3 Mar. 2014.
Anderson, the hero of the film as he is believed to be the “One” by
Many people are insecure about their bodies and take desperate measures to get that model like body. People that are fit or well underweight constantly see themselves as fat. They repeatedly weigh themselves, obsessively exercise, portion their food, and eat very small amounts of food in order to lose a few pounds; this is called anorexia (Eating Disorders). Anorexia can be a very critical health problem in the long run because you are starving yourself without realizing it and it can also cause several other issues throughout your body. Some might say that those who are anorexic have skeletal-like bodies; nearly every bone in their body is visible with only a thin layer of skin protecting them. This is very damaging, but anorexia is just one of many eating disorders.
The word "anorexia" itself means lack of appetite. But that doesn't mean anorexics aren't hungry. Usually they do crave food and just deny their feelings. Most of them even dream about food or become focused on cooking for others. Despite their real hunger, their struggle for thinness is more important to them than anything.
Most of you probably already know what anorexia is, however in case you don't anorexia is basically a disease involving self-starvation. Anorexia victims have a very low "ideal" weight. It might begin as a normal diet carried to extremes, reducing their food intake to a bare minimum. Rules are made of how much food they can eat in one day and how much exercise is required after eating certain amounts of food. With anorexia, there is a strong almost overwhelming fear of putting on weight and they are preoccupied with the way that their bodies look. Anorexia sometimes involves use of laxatives, diet pills, or self-induced vomiting to lose or to keep weight off (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/anorexianervosa.htm). Anorexics may show symptoms such as extreme weight loss for no medical reason. Also, many deny their hunger, chew excessively, choosing low calorie foods and exercising excessively (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health).
Anorexia is a serious medical condition where people have a loss of appetite or food. Anorexia is characterized by the pathological fear of becoming overweight. Evidently, this disease is very unhealthy and extremely dangerous. In addition to how dangerous it is,
Marya Hornbacher was born on April 4th, 1974, her parents were well-known actors and directors in Walnut Creek, California. She led a chaotic childhood, consisting of a major move to Minnesota, an anxiety disorder, and most of all, perfectionism everywhere she turned, “I always felt there was an expectation that I would do one of two things: be great at something, or go crazy and become a total failure. There is no middle ground where I come from,” (Hornbacher, 281). Marya developed bulimia when she was nine years old, and when she moved away to attending boarding school at fifteen, she became anorexic. Her parents saw it as a phase and Marya did not go into treatment for another seven years, since then, she has had several relapses. Marya wrote her ...
Long, Phillip W. "Anorexia Nervosa." Internet Mental Health. Jan. 1997. St. Joseph Medical Center. 19 Aug. 1998 .
Of the three eating disorders, anorexia gets the most attention and has the highest mortality rate of six percent out of any mental illness. According to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, half of the deaths caused by anorexia are suicide. Anorexia is when an individual feels that his or her body is distorted. Anorexia is also when an individual starves himself or herself because of the fear of being overweight (Elkins 44). If an individual suffers from anorexia they will loose anywhere from fifteen to sixty percent of their body weight by starving his or herself. Some of the symptoms of anorexia are heart problems, anemia, and fertility problems (“Eating Disorders”). Another horrible eating disorder is bulimia, which is when a person over eats, feels guilty, and then purges, take...
“I look like a normal, well-adjusted 15-year-old high school sophomore. I like talking to friends on the phone, riding my bike, watching TV, and spending time with my boyfriend. I make above average grades and like math and science classes the best. However, about a year ago, my weight dropped to 72 pounds. I lay in a hospital bed with unkempt hair, fragile limbs and a sunken face. I was seriously ill. The villainous disease was not cancer or AIDS. I had anorexia, a condition which afflicts many teens and young adults, especially young women.” Holly (Caringonline.org)
...ldren who were taken from her at the time of their births. Celie also becomes aware that her father, who indeed was her stepfather, left her a house. Celie finally leaves Mr.___ to reunite with her sister and her children, whom she had never met. After their remarkable journeys in life, Celie and Nettie finally reunite and live a happy and satisfactory life together with their family.
The concept of racial and gender equality has expanded greatly throughout the twentieth century, both in society and in literature. These changes influence Walker's writing, allowing her to create a novel that chronicles the development of a discriminated black woman. Her main character, Celie, progresses from oppression to self-sufficiency, thereby symbolizing the racial and gender advancements our country has achieved. Celie expresses this accomplishment when she states at the end of the novel that "this the youngest [she] ever felt" declaring that her final step into female empowerment has allowed her to begin her new, independent life (Walker 295).