Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa

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Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex eating disorder with roots stemming from a combination of the forces of nature and nurture. The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of AN in order to facilitate its treatment. Four lines of evidence are analyzed: studies of neurobiology in anorectics, genetic factors, the role of culture & media, and disturbances in familial relationships. Although there are cultural influences associated with the development of AN, the results of the studies reviewed in this article side with the nature side of the debate. The paper concludes that there is no single mechanism confining the causes of AN, but rather an interplay of different factors and individual differences. At the …show more content…

The predominant symptoms of this illness include; a refusal to maintain a normal body weight, a preoccupation with a perfect body image, an excruciating fear of gaining weight and amenorrhea (absence of three consecutive menstrual cycles.) It’s a fallacy that eating disorders are entirely about being thin and looking good. In fact, eating disorders are severe psychological disorders that require professional intervention. People with eating disorders may portray their lives as being picture-perfect; when, truly, they are the ones who hide all the anguish and misery in that façade. Certainly, not everyone who aims to lose weight develops an eating disorder. There are various underlying factors that contribute to the development of Anorexia nervosa. The question of nature or nurture has long been a controversy, but recent research proves that certain neurobiological causes (nature) might be the driving force behind this illness. Many believe genetics, society and family dynamics to be the causes of Anorexia, as stated by Rachel Cantrell “Society is the gun, genetics loads the gun, and the family pulls the trigger” (2013). A likelihood of underlying neurobiological factors has been found by Walter H. Kaye, …show more content…

As pointed out in the article “Anorexia and the brain” by Rachel Cantrell, anorexics tend to display anxiety; attention seeking behaviors, obsessiveness, perfectionism, and a drive for thinness from a very young age and it continues to persist even after recovery (2013). In a study by Cloninger C, Przybeck T, Svrakic D, Wetzel R, anorexics are termed as rule abiding, rigid and anxious adolescents who are high in harm avoidance; an inclination to criticize past behaviors and constantly worry about the future (1994.) Studies have confirmed the presence of these traits in the family members of anorexic patients regardless of their weight. These traits persist into and after recovery, which confirms the fact that these are underlying traits rather than an offshoot of the illness (Bulik C, et al.

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