Anorexia Research Paper Example
There are many misunderstandings about anorexia in the world. Some take it lightly and feel comfortable making jokes about it, while others have experienced it and know how serious it can get. Therefore a proper education about this eating disorder is crucial. Although anorexia nervosa isn’t common many of the pre easting disorders that lead up to it are extremely common like binge eating and bulimia. When individuals develop signs and symptoms of anorexia they should be taken seriously and help should be provided as soon as possible before it advances. Occupational therapy is a great way to start treatment because it deep dives into the areas of occupation of the patient and adapts them to treat disorders, diseases, and disabilities. Anorexia can be confusing at times, so a proper definition and some insights are a great way to start the journey of understanding.
Description of the Diagnosis and Symptoms
When it comes to Anorexia many people believe or categorize it by very superficial meanings, for example, some just think of it as someone who is very skinny or someone who starves themselves. Although those symptoms can be seen within individuals who have this eating disorder it is more complex than that. According to the article Anorexia Nervosa and the Brain by Janice Russell, it states, “Anorexia nervosa is a prevalent and serious condition of weight losing occurring most commonly in female adolescent characterized by distinctive psychological, behavioral and medical features some of which contribute to its self-perpetuating nature ” (para. 1, 2007) To put it into simpler terms this diagnosis is considered an eating disorder because it is “characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions” (American Psychiatric Association, para. 1, 2018). This disorder is more than losing weight and looking skinny, it is about the fear and persistent behavior of being uncomfortable with eating food and gaining weight. The fear of both these things consistently ruins the individual's life and causes health risks that may even lead to hospitalization, therefore looking out for symptoms in early states will help prevent consequences early on.
Symptoms of this disorder are known to progress with time, but some clue indicators of anorexia can be seen through, extreme weightlessness in short periods, fatigue, insomnia, fainting, thinning/breaking hair, no menstruations cycle, dry yellow-is skin. Time of these symptoms vary, insomnia and fatigue can come quickly, while extreme weight loss and hair thinning might take a while. Therefore how can you identify it quickly? One of the first steps you should take a look at is food intake and response to food. It is very common for individuals to act as though nothing is wrong and begin to normalize the behavior and habits they have produced. This eating disorder can cause physical symptoms as well as mental and emotional symptoms, individuals can become moody, temperamental, and withdraw themselves from any social event or activity. But with all of this information how should one put it to use or how should one see the outcome of this disorder? Progression and Prognosis will help with the understanding of how far this disorder can go at what this eventually leads to.
Progression and Prognosis of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia has a progression that escalates rather quickly, and apart from that, the prognosis is poor. To start, anorexia comes from one's hatred toward their body. Body image slowly becomes a burden to them and the need to change starts to engrave in their head. With time physical changes will begin to occur like food intake, workout routines, and social life, progression will be slow but noticeable to people who haven’t seen the individual in a while. Apart from progression, the issue of prognosis is very pressing. In the article Outcome, comorbidity and prognosis in anorexia nervosa Gabriel Jagielska states, “The condition is associated with a high risk of chronic course and poor prognosis in terms of treatment and the risk of death. Longer follow-up periods seemed to correspond with increased improvement rates and increased mortality” (Para. 1, 2017). When a disorder has a poor prognosis it indicates that there is a low chance of recovery, in studies, it has been recorded that only 50% make a full recovery and about 10% commit suicide or die from malnutrition. Anorexia like said before isn’t a common disorder instead it roots from fewer chronic disorders, because of how urgent the prognosis is one needs to consider taking measurable steps if an individual that you know has flags of the disorder. Anorexia is known as a chronic disorder because of the long-lasting effects it has, and individuals deal with these consequences from three years to decades. Many have come together to fight this disorder and with time treatment will get better but for now, it is significant to see what treatments are being placed and how another individual can help with sufferers of the disorder.
Personal Reflection on the Effect of Anorexia on Areas of Occupation
Occupational therapy plays a huge part in this disorder, when you learn about occupational therapy you also learn about the areas of occupational therapy. The book Introduction to Occupational Therapy by Jane Clifford O'Brien helps us see a deeper view into these areas which include ALDs, IADLs, Rest and Sleep, Education, Work, Play, Leisure, and Social Participation. (pgs. 87-91, 2017). Anorexia although impacts more than half of these areas, a clear focus on two will help us understand why it relates to OT. One of the two areas is ALDs, anorexia takes away many activities that have to do with taking care of yourself. People suffering from it have a difficult time with bathing, a skincare routine, brushing their hair, and most importantly eating, which is the main purpose of this area, caring for yourself. Anorexia makes it not only takes strength away from your body but it also takes away self-love, therefore individuals who feel the need to take care of themselves get discouraged by the fatigue they are facing. While on the other side some individuals don’t feel the worthiness of dressing themselves or having a basic skincare routine. Social Participation is also another toll of this disorder, it makes an individual question any event or activity they may attend. Often they take a look at the menu or nutritional page of any restaurant that they might go to. They think about excuses of why they are not eating beforehand, and some even cancel the plans just in case they have to eat. Often this results in a lack of social activities and individuals cut off communication with multiple people.
An eating disorder shouldn’t be glamorized nor used humorously which is often what we see in today’s world. Anorexia nervosa takes away everything the sufferer has, they feel isolated, alone, fearful, and have intense hate for themselves. When beauty standards are fought against eating disorders are also being fought, but this comes with time and patients. But when we know where its roots are from, the symptoms, the progression, and prognosis along with the occupational balance we can help any sufferer in their journey. The journey will take longer but it will feel like nothing once they are healthy and recovered.
