The Disorder of Anorexia Nervosa
The Disorder of Anorexia Nervosa
Popularly known as the Slimmer’s disease, this is an extreme example of older children or young adults using food as a weapon to cope with what they see as insoluble problems in their lives. It can be interpreted as a weapon against family, teachers and themselves. Anorexia may start at different ages, but usually it is at a time when the issues of independence and self-esteem come to a head. Many anorexics feel they are in a struggle for independence they can’t win. That would explain why anorexia arises frequently with the on set of puberty. Many Anorexics get depressed because they may not weigh as much as another person but our body’s are built for a certain amount of weight and too little could be fatal. The term Anorexia Nervosa literally means loss of appetite due to nervous causes. An insecure girl may feel that in a culture that regards the thinner figure as desirable, it is tempting to go on a strict diet in order to maintain a slim shape.
Anorexia must be thought as a state of mind and not a physical illness that can be cured like a cold.
The symptoms of this disease are –
• Extreme thinness
• Cessation of menstruation
• Growth of soft downy hair
• Inability to eat to the point of starvation
• Secretive eating habits to mask the true food intake
Having Anorexia is also related to lack of Nutrients so to nurse someone with Anorexia back to health they need a diet with the
following nutrients –
• Protein
• Calcium
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Phosphorus
• Iodine
What needs to be taken into consideration when preparing meals for an anorexic is to bring out small servings regularly with good presentation so they don’t they don’t get turned of their food. Counselling is the basis of treatment. It is very important for anorexics to get the kind of help they need and initially they must be encouraged to recognize that something is wrong. Self help groups have excellent results. This involves working together with other anorexics where common problems can be shared, discussed and worked on. In severe cases, medical treatment may be necessary and the anorexic may need hospitalisation for controlled feeding and psychotherapy. Force-feeding may save a life in extreme examples, but will not exact a cure time and patience is important, especially with very young sufferers. Systems...