Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder characterized by psychotic believes that you are too fat despite being boney. People with anorexia nervosa have an irrational fear of weight gain. Anorexia nervosa is common among females. According to an estimate of National Institute of Mental Health, 0.5-3.7 percent females have anorexia nervosa. It is also estimated that 5-15 percent of anorexic population are males.
Eating disorders are not a sign of problem with food or appetite, as people generally assume when they hear of one, rather they’re the symptoms that indicate a serious underlying problem, which needs to be dealt with. Anorexia nervosa is used, without even knowing, as a way to grapple emotional and other problems. A brain chemical, serotonin, involved in depression also plays role in developing anorexia.
Many people are genetically vulnerable to develop psychological disorders; so is the case with anorexia nervosa. Females with family history of anorexia or biological mother with an eating disorder are prone to develop anorexia nervosa.
Some people have a tendency toward perfectionism, genetically, or induced. Those suffering with anorexia nervosa seem to have an extreme drive for perfectionism, as they never stop to think they’re thin enough. It was also estimated during a study that anorexics strive for perfection. The study also indicates that anorexic show perseverance and sensitivity. Pertaining to sensitivity, a person with anorexia feels in control when they, at least, can have control in the area of diet and eating.
Those who feel powerless otherwise, seek pleasure in controlling their weight and eating habits which accounts for a control over their body. Some of those suffering with anorexia nervosa try to prove their competence by setting themselves very high standards. Anorexia nervosa can also indicate low self-worth, either they deny themselves the pleasures of food or maybe they associate worth with a thin body.
Modern day culture and media have also put up the standards of a perfect body image; i.e. a skinny body. Magazines, TV and society keep reinforcing a desire for thinness. Although eating disorders existed centuries ago but today the pressure of these standards of perfection, success and worth induces a low self-worth in them and keep pushing them to diet and, eventually, suffer from eating disorders.
Hence, people with anorexia have a number of psychological and emotional reasons that contribute to anorexia nervosa but such people are always unwilling to admit if they suffer from a disorder or problem. People suffering with anorexia nervosa can be treated. They need a combination of psychological and medical help. Once they admit the problem and seek help, their disorder can be fixed.
Keywords: anorexia nervosa, anorexia, anorexic, psychology, disorder.
