The Image In The Mirror Essay, Research Paper
Thesis Statement: Anorexia Nervosa, a disturbing disease of denial, consisting of self
-imposed starvation and the intense fear of gaining weight, is becoming an epidemic
among many teenage girls due to the environment, biochemistry,
and personality of the individual.
I. The immediate environment, friends and family, directly influence the
development of anorexia.
A. Anorexics tend to come from families placing strong emphasis on food
and the family may have used food for purposes other than nourishment
such as a sign of love for the providers or used when family members
face unpleasant situations.
B. There is a greater risk of a person developing anorexia when a member of
their family has had the disorder or when a parent is either very thin or
obese.
C. Overly critical brothers and fathers of the girls weight and attractiveness
have a forceful impact on the development of anorexia.
D. Special dietary needs of a family member, emphasis on nutrition, and
power struggles over eating assist in the self-imposed starvation.
E. Nutritional labeling on the foods and mothers stocking their refrigerators
with low fat and no-fat foods may actually lead to eating problems.
1. The mothers eating habits greatly influence the daughters and it is
recommended that the daughters favorite foods are in the house.
2. The mother should invite her daughter to the grocery store to choose
some of her favorite fruits, vegetables, meats, and cereals.
3. Making this a routine can help provide a positive aspect on the
importance of nutrition.
F. It is important for family members to promote self-esteem in intellectual,
athletic, and social endeavors.
1. The parents should examine their own attitudes toward weight to
discover how they could be affecting the children.
2. Discussing the dangers of dieting, the value of moderate exercise,
and the importance of eating a variety of foods can help minimize the
chances of developing anorexia.
II. Biochemistry also contributes to the development of anorexia.
B. In the neuroendocrine system, a combination of the central nervous
and the hormonal systems, there are seriously disturbed mechanisms
in people with eating disorders.
1. The neuroendocrine system regulates sexual function, physical
growth and development, appetite and digestion, kidney functions
and emotions.
2. The common symptoms of anorexia directly relate to the disturbed
mechanisms in the neuroendocrine system.
3. Common symptoms such as serious depression, bingeing and
consuming large amounts of food and showing no noticeable weight
gain, and loss of menstrual periods are directly associated with the
disturbed neuroendocrine system that normally regulates these
functions.
B. There have been several chemicals found that can be directly related
to symptoms of anorexia.
1. The neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, key chemical
messengers in the central nervous system, are significantly
decreased in ill anorexic patients.
2. The decrease of the chemicals serotnin and norepinephrine cause
severe depression, one symptom of anorexia.
3. Another brain chemical found to be abnormal in people with anorexia
is the hormone vasopressin.
4. Vasopressin is what contributes to the obsessive-compulsive
behavior of the patients.
5. There have also been higher than normal levels of cortisol found in
anorexic patients, a brain hormone released in response to stress.
6. The high levels of cortisol are caused by a problem that occurs in or
near the hypothalamus.
7. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates
menstruation, eating, metabolism, body temperature and sleep.
8. It has not been established if anorexia causes the hypothalamus
disturbance or if the hypothalamus directly influences the occurrence
of anorexia.
9. By exploring the roles of chemicals played in the brain, the findings
are making it possible to explain why and how this disease is
occurring.
III. Personality traits are a source of psychological symptoms of anorexia
nervosa patients.
A. Anorexics tend to have self-critical and obsessional personality traits.
1. They are known for their compliant behavior and attainment of
good grades, and are often perfectionists.
2. There is often repugnance at sexual development.
3. Associated with the perfectionistic personality is an all-or-none
kind of reasoning and the setting of unattainable goals.
B. Family personality traits that encourage anorexia are enmeshment,
rigidity, overprotectiveness and inability to resolve conflict within the
family.
1. Thirty-six of 39 young female patients refer to their fathers as
emotionally distant.
2. Mothers of anorexics frequently suffer from depression, are
domineering, and intrude in the anorexics hour-to-hour-life.
IV. Antidepressant drugs, behavioral techniques, and psychotherapy are
the most frequently used treatments.
A. One successful medication used is the antidepressant fluoxetine,
because it affects serotonin function in the body which is significant in the
biochemistry of anorexics.
B. One behavioral technique used is a token system for food eaten,
consisting of reinforcements contingent on weight gain.
1. Behavioral techniques work especially well for social phobic behavior.
2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder has also been successfully treated with
behavioral techniques.
C. Psychotherapy is needed for the underlying emotional issues of the
anorexic and to help the patient begin to understand and cope with
their illness.
D. The combination of psychotherapy and medication has been found as an
effective treatment, and it prevents relapse after the medication is
discontinued.
E. When excessive and rapid weight loss, serious metabolic disturbances,
clinical depression or risk of suicide, or psychosis take place,
hospitalization may be necessary.
F. For emotional and psysiological treatment, there is a variety of experts
needed such as a nutritionist, an individual psychotherapist, a group/
family psychotherapist, and a psychopharmacologist- someone who
is knowledgeable about psychoactive medications useful in treating
the disorder.
V. Symptoms of anorexia are widespread and can sometimes be difficult to
pinpoint.
A. Excessive weight loss in a relatively short period of time and the
continuation of dieting although bone thin is one of the very common
symptoms.
B. There is usually an extreme dissatisfaction with body appearance and
the belief the body is fat, even though severely underweight.
C. Anorexics often show an unusual interest in food and the
development of strange eating rituals.
D. They are always collecting new recipes and preparing gourmet meals
for family and friends, but not eating the meals themselves.
E. Many anorexics abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer from serious
depression, eat in secret, and obsess over exercise.
F. Some use drugs particularly to stimulate vomiting bowel
movements and urination.
G. Following these symptoms are usually severe medical problems such
as premature osteoporosis, abdominal pain, lethargy, intolerance to
cold, impaired kidney functions, and impeded reproductive
development.
H. Bradycardia, a slower than normal heartbeat, is also a common
medical problem of young girls suffering from anorexia nervosa.
Concluding Statement: Dealing with the anorexics uncompromising
environment, complications in biochemistry, and intolerable personality traits is an
approach to diminishing the horrifying epidemic of anorexia
nervosa.
Rogers 1
The Anorexic Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Organization (ANRED) estimates
that approximately one in every 100 white females between the ages of 12 and 18 suffers
from anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa 12). The mortality rate of 6 to 18 percent makes
anorexia the most lethal psychiatric illness (Anorexia Nervosa). Anorexia is diagnosed
when a patient weighs at 15 percent less than expected (Barker 3). This usually begins in
young people around the time of puberty, and it appears to these precocious girls as a
way to take control of their bodies and gain approval from others (Eating Disorders 286).
Anorexics suffer from a seriously distorted body image and the refusal to maintain a
normal body weight (Boodman 4). Anorexia nervosa, a disturbing disease of denial,
consisting of self-imposed starvation and the intense fear of gaining weight, is becoming an
epidemic among many teenage girls due to the environment , biochemistry, and
personality of the individual.
Fear and ambivalence are characteristics of every meal to an anorexic woman(Mac
Sween 224). Anorexics become immensely anxious about situations where they have to
eat with other people or eat a meal someone else has prepared(Mac Sween 223). The
immediate environment, friends and family, directly influence the development of
anorexia. Anorexics tend to come from families placing strong emphasis on food and the
family may have used food for purposes other than nourishment such as a sign of love for
the providers or used when family members face unpleasant situations (Anorexia nervosa
15). There is a greater risk of a person developing anorexia when a
Rogers 2
person of the family has had the disorder or when a family member is either very thin or
obese(Anorexia Nervosa 15). Overly critical brothers and fathers of the girls weight and
attractiveness have a forceful impact on the development of anorexia (Eating Disorders
286). Special dietary needs of a family member, emphasis on nutrition, and power
struggles over eating assist in the self-induced starvation (Anorexia Nervosa 13).
Nutritional labeling on the foods and mothers stocking their refrigerators with low fat and
no-fat foods may actually lead to eating problems (Fitzsimmons 2). The mothers eating
habits greatly influence the daughters and it is recommended that favorite foods are in the
house (Fitzsimmons 3). The mother should invite the daughter to accompany her to the
grocery store to choose some of her favorite fruits, vegetables, meats and cereals
(Fitzsimmons 4). Making this a routine can help provide a positive aspect on the
importance of nutrition (Fitzsimmons 4). It is important for family members to promote
self-esteem in intellectual, athletic, and social endeavors (Fitzsimmons 5). The parents
should examine their own attitudes toward weight to discover how they could be affecting
the children (Fitzsimmons 4). Discussing the dangers of dieting, the value of moderate
exercise, and the importance of eating a variety of foods can help minimize the chances of
developing anorexia (Fitzsimmons 4).
Biochemistry also contributes to the development of anorexia nervosa. In the
neuroendocrine system, a combination of the central nervous and hormonal
Rogers 3
systems, there are seriously disturbed mechanisms in people with eating disorders (Eating
Disorders 286). The neuroendocrine system regulates sexual function, physical growth
and development, appetite and digestion, kidney functions and emotions. The common
symptoms of anorexia directly relate to the disturbed mechanisms in the neuroendocrine
system (Eating Disorders 286). Common symptoms such as serious depression,
bingeing and consuming large amounts of food but showing no noticeable weight gain,
and loss of menstrual periods are directly associated with the disturbed neuroendocrine
system that normally controls these functions (Barker 3).
There have been several chemicals found that can be directly related to symptoms of
anorexia. The neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, key chemical messengers
in the central nervous system, are significantly decreased in ill anorexic patients (Eating
Disorders 287). The decrease of the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine cause
severe depression, one symptom of anorexia (Eating Disorders 287). Another brain
chemical found to be abnormal in people with anorexia is the hormone vasopressin.
Vasopressin is what contributes to the obsessive-compulsive behavior of the patients
(Eating Disorders 287). There have also been higher than normal levels of cortisol found
in anorexic patients, a brain hormone released in response to stress. These biochemical
and genetic factors predispose some people to eating disorders such as anorexia (Eating
Disorders 286). The high levels of cortisol
Rogers 4
are caused by a disturbance that occurs in or near the hypothalamus (Eating Disorders
287). The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates menstruation, eating,
metabolism, body temperature and sleep (Anorexia Nervosa 15). It has not been
established if anorexia causes the hypothalamic disturbance or if the hypothalamus directly
influences the occurrence of anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa 15). By exploring the roles of
chemicals in the brain, the findings are making it possible to explain why and how this
disease is occurring (Eating Disorders 287).
Personality traits are a source of psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa (Garner
327). Anorexics tend to have self-critical and obsessional personality traits. They are
known for their compliant behavior and attainment of good grades, and they are often
perfectionists. There is often repugnance at sexual development (Garner 327).
Associated with the perfectionistic personality is an all-or-none kind of reasoning and the
setting of unattainable goals (Garner 327). Certain types of personalities also seem to
appear among the parents of anorexics. Family personality traits are enmeshment,
rigidity, overprotectiveness, and the inability to resolve conflict within the family
(Anorexia Nervosa 15). ?Thirty-six of 39 young female patients described their fathers as
emotionally distant,? says Margo Mame, associated clinical director of the Eating
Disorders Service at Newington Children?s Hospital in Conneticut.
Rogers 5
Mothers of anorexics frequently suffer from depression, are domineering, and intrude in
the anorexics hour-to-hour-life (Anorexia Nervosa 15).
The consequences of anorexia nervosa can be severe, with 1 in 10 cases leading to death
from starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide (Eating Disorders 284). Antidepressant drugs,
behavioral techniques, and physcotherapy are the most frequently used treatments. One
successful medication used is the antidepressant fluoxetine, because it affects the
serotonin function in the body which is significant in the biochemistry of anorexics (Eating
Disorders 287). One behavioral technique used is a token system for food eaten,
consisting of reinforcements contingent on weight gain (Garner 149). Behavioral
techniques work especially well for social phobic behavior and the obsessive-compulsive
disorder (Garner 466). Psychotherapy is needed for the underlying emotional issues of
the anorexic and to help the patient begin to understand and cope with their illness (Eating
Disorders 287). The combination of psychotherapy and medication has been found as an
effective treatment, and it prevents relapse after the medication is discontinued (Eating
Disorders 287). When excessive and rapid weight loss, serious metabolic disturbances,
clinical depression or risk of suicide, or psychosis take place hospitalization may be
necessary (Eating Disorders 287). For emotional and physiological treatment, there is a
variety of experts needed such as a nutritionist, an individual psychotherapist, a
group/family psychotherapist, and a psychopharmacologist – someone who is
Rogers 6
knowledgeable about psychoactive medications useful in treating the disorder (Eating
Disorders 287).
Symptoms of anorexics are widespread and can sometimes be difficult to
pinpoint. Excessive weight loss in a relatively short period of time and the continuation of
dieting although bone thin is one of the very common symptoms (Barker 3 ). There is
usually an extreme dissatisfaction with body appearance and the belief the body is fat,
even though severely underweight (Barker 3). Anorexics often show an unusual interest in
food and the development of strange eating rituals (Barker 3). They are always collecting
new recipes and preparing gourmet meals for friends and family, but not eating the meals
themselves (Eating Disorders 284). Many anorexics abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer from
serious depression, eat in secret, and obsess over exercise. Some use drugs particularly
to stimulate bowel movements and urination (Barker 3). Following these symptoms are
usually severe medical problems such as premature osteoporosis, abdominal pain,
lethargy, intolerance to cold, impaired kidney functions, and impeded reproductive
development (Fitzsimmons 3). Bradycardia, a slower than normal heartbeat, is also a
common medical problem of young girls suffering from anorexia nervosa (Boodman 4).
Anorexia nervosa is a complicated and mysterious disease. Researchers are continuing
the study of anorexics and how to prevent the occurrence of
Rogers 7
eating disorders. The central aim of anorexia is the elimination of physical pleasure and
food becomes symbolic of all desires and their objects (Mac Sween 222). Anorexia is an
attempt to resolve at the level of the individual body the irreconcilability of individuality
and femininity in a bourgeois patriarchal culture (Mac Sween 252). Dealing with the
anorexics uncompromising environments, complications in biochemistry, and intolerable
personality traits is an approach to diminishing the horrifying epidemic of anorexia nervosa.