Anorexia nervosa
Eating disorders generally affect about 30 million people in the United States, the most important of which is anorexia, which is the loss of the usual desire or appetite to eat, and this condition may affect people of both sexes, but its prevalence in females is almost ten times higher than in men. In fact, Anorexia is different from anorexia nervosa (in English: Anorexia nervosa), which is considered a psychological disorder, can pose a danger to human life, as a person with anorexia nervosa seeks to achieve a very slender, unnatural physical image, in addition to his fear of being overweight or obese in an excessive manner, it should be noted that this condition can begin early; that is, in pre-adolescence, but it is more common during the teenage years or in the early stages of puberty, it is considered
Treatment of anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is treated under the supervision of doctors, mental health care providers, and dieticians, and in fact the patient may be subjected to different types of treatment, as well as the need to undergo treatment and nutrition awareness continuously in order to continue his recovery and improve the state of Health.:
* Admission to the hospital or specialized clinics: the patient is admitted to the hospital in several cases, including cases where anorexia nervosa is caused by heart rhythm disorders, dehydration, electrolyte balance disorders in the body, or if there are psychological problems or other serious medical complications, such as severe malnutrition, or continued refusal to eat. Eating disorders clinics are available in several countries, and these clinics are interested in providing specialized programs that will help the patient overcome this condition.
Nasogastric tube installation: repeated monitoring of vital signs, related physical diseases, electrolyte and moisture levels in the body may be required, especially if the patient has health complications as a result of anorexia. The Nasogastric tube may be used to provide food to the body in some severe cases.
•Restore a healthy weight: first goal of treatment is to help the patient to reach a healthy weight, as the patient would not be able to overcome eating disorders without maintain a healthy weight and appropriate diet.
•Psychotherapy (in Psychotherapy), there are many types of psychotherapy that may be useful in this case, the following is a statement more:
◦Individual therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) steps can be followed with adults to improve eating behavior and patterns in order to gain weight, as well as help the patient change their incorrect thoughts and beliefs that affect their ability to eat.
◦Family-based treatment: this treatment is essential in the treatment of anorexia adolescents, as it is based on the principle of targeting parents and urging them to provide help to their children by re-feeding them and helping them to regain their healthy weight, so that they are able to make the right decisions regarding food and health, since the
◦Group therapy: this type of therapy allows people with anorexia nervosa to interact with others with the same condition, and is advised to do so under the supervision of a qualified medical professional, in order to avoid changing the course of interaction between them towards competing for who becomes thinner.
Medications: in fact, no medication in particular has been proven to be effective for the treatment of anorexia nervosa to date, and psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, may be used to treat other mental health disorders that may be suffered by the patient, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and in fact supplements may be required in many cases. It should be noted that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), a form of psychotropic medication, should be avoided if the patient’s body weight is less than 95% of the normal range of height and age; some studies have shown that the use of another type of medication known as Olanzapine before the use of optional serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help patients reach the highest possible body weight at this stage.
The causes of anorexia nervosa
In fact, the exact cause of anorexia nervosa is still unknown to the present time, and it is believed that people who develop this disease have formed a negative image of their bodies, and the focus on perfection may be the cause of this condition, and it should be noted that there are other factors that may play a role in the occurrence of this:
* Genetic factors and hormones: these factors may contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa, and some evidence has suggested a link between anorexia and serotonin produced by the brain.
* Environmental factors: pressure from society to look slimmer may contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa, and unrealistic body images presented by different media can significantly affect young people and trigger their desire to become more vulnerable.
•Psychological factors: in fact characterizes people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to maintain a athletic diet and strict, and this itself affects the development of this type of anorexia.
