Distortion: a Research Paper on Anorexia Nervosa

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Effects of anorexia are mostly seen on the outside of the victim’s body, but do not be fooled. This detrimental eating disorder affects one’s mind just as much as it would the body. What Anorexia does to the mind is that it distorts the way one views their body. Victims of anorexia become fixated on their body image and overly critical about their flaws and weight. Even being obviously underweight, Anorexics will continuously deny that they have a problem and continue with their fatal practices. One will continue to diet and take weight loss medication to get as thin as they see fit. The chemistry of the brain changes completely; your memory becomes bad, the brain’s ability to think is off, and extreme mood swings are prevalent. (Smith, Melinda, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., "Anorexia Nervosa." : Signs, Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment.) Usually any activity involving food or the consumption of food terrifies an Anorexic. One’s brain is rewired to see food as the enemy, as something your body despises instead of needs. (Maloney, Michael, and Rachel Kranz 52) While anorexia drastically affects one’s mind, the physical effects are quick to appear. These effects are seen throughout the victim’s entire body. On the surface, it’s easy to see anorexia. One of the most obvious symptoms would be the weight of the sufferer. Anorexic’s are usually very thin and obviously underweight. Many of their bones are easy to see, such as ribs, shoulder blades, and the spine. One who suffers from anorexia nervosa begins to lose their hair, because of a lack of nutrients. The hair on their head thins and becomes extremely brittle, making it likely to fall out during bathing. An Anorexic does not eat, so one lacks the necessary nutrients to aid in the... ... middle of paper ... ...Image. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 1999. Print. "Osteoporosis Center: Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, Prevention, and Diet and Exercise Recommendations."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. Rocha, Toni L. Understanding Recovery from Eating Disorders. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 1999. Print. Segal, Jeanne, Ph.D., and Melinda Smith, M.A. "Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery."Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery. Helpguide, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. Smith, Melinda, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. "Anorexia Nervosa." : Signs, Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment. Helpguide, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. "Society and Eating Disorders." RSS 20. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. Stanley, Debbie. Understanding Sports and Eating Disorders. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2000. Print. Tattersall, Clare. Understanding Food and Your Family. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 1999. Print.

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