Both anorexia and bulimia nervosa are characterized by an inappropriate influence of body weight and shape on the appraisal of oneself. Both involve the belief that oneself is too big or heavy, regardless of actual appearance. Both often involve depression, anxiety, obsessiveness, and a need to be perfect.
Those with restricting-type anorexia nervosa aim to reduce their weight by restricting food intake. This process often begins with cutting out sweet and high-calorie foods. A common result is a diet characterized by almost no variability. Between 90 and 95% of anorexics are female and most experience the onset of anorexia between 14 and 20 years of age. Numerous health problems can result from anorexia. Amenorrhea, the absence of menstrual …show more content…
Imbalances of metabolism and electrolytes can cause circulatory collapse or heart failure. Skin, nails, and hair are also damaged by poor nutrition. Bulimia nervosa involves repeated, uncontrollable overeating episodes, or binges, followed by purges, or compensatory behaviors intended to undo the effects of the binges. These behaviors can include forced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, or enemas, fasting, or exercising excessively. Like anorexia, bulimia primarily affects women in adolescence and early adulthood. Amenorrhea is a possible health complication of bulimia, but is much less common than in anorexics. Tooth problems, potassium deficiency, weakness, kidney disease, intestinal disorders, and heart damage are also possible dangers resulting from bulimia.
The first step in treating an eating disorder is establishing healthy eating patterns. After this is accomplished, the focus turns to addressing the underlying psychological problems involved. The psychodynamic explanation of eating disorders is rooted in ineffective parenting, in which parents do not correctly interpret and respond to their child’s needs. This is theorized