Throughout my maturation, I have observed a growing societal obsession with appearance. This fascination encompasses various aspects, such as the popularization of diet sodas in the 80s and individuals’ constant dissatisfaction with their physical bodies. It took me some time to fully comprehend this phenomenon due to the overwhelming presence of advertised diets, pharmaceuticals making bold claims, and herbal remedies promising numerous advantages at every turn. The sheer quantity of these offerings is truly overwhelming. Therefore, this essay will center on anorexia nervosa, a concerning disorder commonly occurring during adolescence in both males and females.
Both bulimia and anorexia nervosa share a focus on body fat, resulting in decreased appetite and significant weight loss. It is important to mention that while males make up approximately 10% of individuals affected by this disorder, the majority are females. Interestingly, more than thirty years ago, a renowned sex symbol sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” during a live television performance.
Marilyn Monroe’s size fourteen to sixteen figure would likely not be accepted by society’s current ideals. In the past, both men and women would eat for pleasure or necessity and would simply purchase clothes that could conceal any weight they may have gained. However, things have changed. Psychologists who study the impact of television on children argue that television holds the most influence in our visually-driven society (Velette, 1988, p.3). With the influence of television and prominent role models, children no longer care about seeing different body sizes beyond their own home; what matters to them is seeing the majority of people portrayed on TV as flawless. On average, teenagers spend around 15,000 hours of their lives watching television (Valette, 1988, p.4), absorbing the viewpoints presented in shows and commercials as they become ingrained in their retinas.
The concept of achieving success, attractiveness, popularity, and love by having a slender physique is consistently emphasized. This belief becomes ingrained in children’s minds early on, causing them to associate thinness with happiness and approval. Consequently, certain children may resort to skipping meals, limiting their food consumption or even adopting extreme dieting practices. Although these behaviors may be short-lived for some individuals, others become entirely consumed by their fixation on being thin and experience severe consequences as a result.
This article seeks to examine anorexia nervosa, including its symptoms, behavior, and clinical observations. It will specifically investigate potential influences during childhood growth and puberty, such as eating habits and social interactions, that may contribute to the development of this disorder. Furthermore, it will explore how maturation during puberty can impact anorexia nervosa. Additionally, different treatment options for anorexia nervosa will be analyzed and assessed for their effectiveness.
Before delving into the specifics of anorexia nervosa, there are several personal characteristics that may manifest in individuals with an eating disorder: low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy or perfectionism, control issues, and a fear of growing up. The physical depiction is hauntingly chilling. Anorexic sufferers do not simply appear “slim” as society deems desirable, but rather resemble skeletal figures lacking subcutaneous fat. Their weight can vary between a meager 56-70 pounds or 77-91 pounds.
Despite her clothes hiding most of her body, she appears gaunt with cold and red/blue skin. The lack of body fat has likely caused her menstrual cycle to stop. However, she still perceives herself as overweight and therefore undesirable. Thinness is seen as the ultimate goal and perfection.
The person’s decision is final and cannot be altered. When an individual develops anorexia nervosa, they initiate changes in their eating patterns, including reducing food intake and often eliminating starchy foods. A specific study discovered that 70% of individuals claimed to be simply following a diet, while others provided explanations such as abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, or lack of appetite (Dally, 1979, p.14). Initially, those who were dieting had innocent intentions and even received approval from family or peers. However, after achieving their desired weight, the dieting did not decrease; in some cases it became more strict. The feeling of hunger does not merely go away.
The struggle against stomach pains is lengthy and arduous, often leading to relapses. Nonetheless, surrendering to the allure of food brings about feelings of guilt or disgust, which ultimately increases the determination to resist food in the future. It typically takes about a year to eliminate hunger (Dally, 1979, p.14).
Sometimes, the feeling of hunger becomes impossible to disregard. Throughout the day, the girl’s mind becomes consumed with thoughts of food, almost as if it brings her joy. In a deliberate manner, she takes her time to eat, relishing every morsel that is carefully sliced into bite-sized pieces. She has a strong desire to prepare her own meals and occasionally prefers to dine in solitude, allowing herself to fully indulge in her food without any self-consciousness.
There are alternative ways to address hunger without directly consuming food. These methods include activities such as reading cookbooks, acquiring knowledge about healthy foods and eating habits, cooking for others, and even observing others eat. Interestingly, individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa go to great lengths to avoid personally consuming high-calorie foods but derive satisfaction from creating elaborate meals for their loved ones. They may feel upset if any of the food they prepare goes uneaten. It is important to note that many anorexic patients possess above-average intelligence and physical attractiveness and come from affluent backgrounds. However, they often struggle with low self-esteem and perpetually strive for perfection.
The main focus of this paper is primary anorexia nervosa, which is the most prevalent type. Primary anorexia nervosa commonly begins in adolescence, particularly between the ages of 11 and 18, primarily impacting females. The family they originate from often has a predisposition towards weight obsession and also exercises some influence over their daughter’s life, including a mother who frequently adheres to diet plans. Conversely, secondary anorexia nervosa develops in adult individuals with average intelligence and from middle or lower-class backgrounds.
The male population with anorexia nervosa is only 10%. During childhood, the brain and body develop simultaneously, making it a critical stage for everyone. The acquisition of morality and knowledge is greatly influenced by daily activities and external factors.
Negative behaviors may become deeply ingrained and difficult to stop during this period. The growth process in childhood for individuals with anorexia is not significantly different from that of typically developing children. However, it is likely that these individuals initially had a thin body but experienced a rapid increase in both fatness and height compared to their peers. As a result, they may become more self-conscious about their appearance during puberty.
Overcoming the challenge of obtaining an accurate understanding of early signs of anorexia in children is difficult due to their distorted self-perception and tendency to exaggerate childhood memories. However, by carefully gathering information from families, this challenge can be conquered. Childhood experiences of anorectic patients often depict them as tomboys who share interests with their fathers, such as sports and watching football. They are also described as obedient children who resist the idea of growing up (Crisp, 1980, p.48).
Puberty brings about anxiety for many girls and is characterized by various changes. The initial noticeable change during puberty is breast development, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment and a perceived increase in body size. Additionally, other undesired changes occur including stomach and thigh thickening and the onset of menstruation.
Many girls see their natural changes as personal experiences instead of understanding that all females go through them. They might form distorted views of their bodies, like mistaking a slight potbelly for pregnancy or perceiving their breasts to be larger than their mothers’. While some girls can overcome these self-conscious thoughts, others become consumed by them. The first step in treating anorexia nervosa is for family members or loved ones to intervene and help the individual seek professional help.
According to healthcare professionals, it is advisable to separate the anorectic patient from her family during treatment in order to expedite the healing process. Allowing the patient to make promises, either by the family or an inexperienced therapist, can impede both physical and mental recovery (Dally, 1979, p.106). Once admitted into treatment, a comprehensive healing process commences involving a team of specialists including psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, and dieticians.
The main goal of treatment is to determine a target weight for the patient, using the average height and weight of people in their age group, and to regain around 90% of this ideal weight. It is essential to restore weight before beginning psychological treatment because anorexia nervosa disrupts both physical and psychological maturation, as well as emotional development, during a crucial stage. Therapists use two primary approaches when it comes to feeding. The first approach, which is more passive, involves giving the patient the required food and allowing her to eat it at her own speed.
The lack of patience in a nurse can lead to disturbance and frustration. This can occur when the patient is unable to finish their meal before it is time for their next one. Alternatively, a more aggressive method involves forcing tube feeding if the patient refuses to eat. This approach results in rapid weight gain. In both techniques, the patient’s cooperation and recovery determine the extent of freedom and visitation allowed.
When dealing with a challenging patient, the bed restraint and tube feeding method is implemented until regular eating habits are established. The subsequent phase involves cognitive therapy, commonly referred to as the “Interview.” During this phase, the therapist has the opportunity to gather significant information on the patient and attentively listen to their narrative. Exploration of the patient’s perception of their body usually yields unfavorable responses.
When individuals with the same weight and height are compared, the anorectic subject being studied will show concern about their thinness. This can prompt them to think about the potential consequences of eating more food, which can serve as a moment of realization. It is important to address both weight issues and cognitive distortions before releasing the patient. However, it should be noted that like alcoholics and substance abusers, there is a possibility of relapse once they are given freedom.
The therapist’s role is to ensure that the patient remains disciplined in working towards long-term goals by resolving any emotional conflicts that may cause the patient to revert back to their previous lifestyle for satisfaction. It is also crucial for family members of anorectic individuals to participate in family therapy, as it helps them overcome excessive protectiveness or denial of conflicts and approach their child’s problem differently. Both peer and family support are necessary for anorectic individuals to avoid returning to the pursuit of achieving a “perfect” weight that brings self-satisfaction. Dealing with anorexia nervosa presents a challenging task for both families and society.
Our peers and the media frequently stress the significance of being slender and attractive to attain happiness, success, or love. During our childhood, we would overhear our mothers conversing on the phone about how shedding pounds could effortlessly enhance someone’s appeal. It is typical for women to experience envy towards others and dissatisfaction with their own bodies, despite possessing their own distinct physicality. The notion of thinness has been ingrained in our minds since early on, influenced by portrayals on television and our inherent desire to be wanted and embraced by others.
While in high school, I was preoccupied with how others perceived my appearance. I often found myself comparing my looks to those of other girls in my class and experimenting with various diets, including both nutritious meal plans and drastic crash diets. In retrospect, I recognize the foolishness of this mindset.
During my final year of high school, I reached a point where I embraced and accepted my appearance despite others’ opinions and the influence of media. However, as I learned about the detrimental effects of anorexia and bulimia in health class, I couldn’t help but fear that these destructive lifestyles might become options for me in the future. This realization also made me consider how many other girls in that class or those who had watched the video could be having similar thoughts and even acting upon them.
So, what measures can parents and peers take to address this issue? Considering that 1 out of every 500 teenage girls suffers from this illness, it is crucial to educate parents and teachers about this subject. By doing so, early intervention can take place when symptoms arise, thus preventing potential long-term consequences during critical stages of growth and development.
Despite the difficulty in altering or forecasting society’s overall perception of perfection and its influence on children’s self-worth, we can mold our children’s perspectives on weight and physical attractiveness by advocating for self-approval. Educating them about the natural transformations their bodies experience during puberty and promoting healthy methods to boost confidence, such as participating in activities that emphasize more than just physical abilities or appearance, is one approach to accomplish this. As young individuals are susceptible to external influences, it falls upon us as adults to shield them from detrimental consequences.
References
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- Child development. Boston. Allen and Bacon. Crisp, A.H. (1980).
- Anorexia nervosa: let me be. London. Academic Press Inc. Dally, Peter and Gomez, Joan. (1979).
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- Eating disorders. Harvard Mental Health Letter, 9. 47 paragraphs. [Online]. Available at http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p5h-et03.html [1999, March 1].
- Valette, Brett.(1988). A parent’s guide to eating disorders. New York. Walker
