What Is Anorexia Nervosa

In the modern world, society promotes a thin figure to be ideal. Slim models and dieting plans are not uncommon to society. From magazines to movies, people of all ages are convinced that they should achieve a certain body figure. Many self-conscious individuals get drawn into the idea of looking slim too obsessively and develops the condition known as Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia is an eating disorder in which individuals endure through extreme efforts in order to become thinner. Anorexics tend to prioritize their weight and shape before their health, doing whatever it takes to lose weight. People with anorexia have a distorted perception of their body; regardless of how skinny they become, they will still view themselves as fat and will
Most of the time, anorexia is not simply about eating, it has to do with insecurities and emotions. Anorexics usually have a low self-esteem and will need to gain confidence in themselves in order to recover from anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a serious and life-threatning eating disorder that affects many individuals in the world. There are various factors that can significantly increase the risk of developing anorexia nervosa. The media is one of the major influences that can cause anorexia. “Home and schools are not the only sources pressuring young people to be thin. Society and the media promote this message, especially to young women” (Nardo, D. (1991). The Dangers of Anorexia. In Eating disorders (p. 26). San Diego, California: Lucent Books). Famous figures and celebrities that have thin bodies are often role models to young people, especially females. “Most anorexics are girls and young women between the ages of eleven and
Three common types of therapy used to treat anorexia include psychotherapy, drug therapy, and group therapy. Psychotherapy is a common resort for anorexic patients. Professionals in this field can help patients find the psychological reason behind their eating disorder. The main objective of professionals would be to help the patient gain weight, weight gain is crucial when treating anorexia (RABIN R. 2012). Professionals may also prescribe medication which can be used in the process of treating anorexia. “Antidepressants are commonly used to treat anorexia. These reduce or eliminate the patient’s state of depression, which appears to be an important cause of the disorder” (Nardo, D. (1991). The Dangers of Anorexia. In Eating disorders (p. 32). San Diego, California: Lucent Books). Anorexics can engage in group therapy in which they express themselves with a group of people who also have eating disorders, seeking support and advice from each other. An anorexic individual may be hospitalized if their health is at risk. Even after treatment, one can experience relapse and become anorexic again. Many people with anorexia who are properly treated learn to accept themselves the way they are and understand it is not worth it to put their health at risk just to be thin. “Experts say that 15 to 20 percent of those who suffer from anorexia eventually die from malnutrition, heart failure, suicide, or