Geriatric Disorders Case Study

Statement of the Problem
The ongoing increase in the rates of geriatric disorders, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorder [ASD], implores for further alternative treatments and therapies for these disorders; especially beyond that of solely the pharmaceutical route of treatment. All three of these disorders have become significant issues in our current society, and the severity of finding effective forms of treatments is an urgent matter. By identifying who is affected by these psychological disorders, one can create a deeper understanding as to the severity of the problem and the possible solutions that are available through an alternative form of therapy such as dance movement therapy.
The incidence of geriatric disorders, such

The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The occurrence rate of anorexia was found to be 4.7 per 100,000 people per year based on the General Practice Research Database. The most common age of onset for anorexia is between 15 and 19 years old. It is ten times more common in females, and has a higher occurrence among the higher socio-economic class and Caucasian population. The average age for those diagnosed with bulimia is 18 years old. It has been estimated that 0.5-1% of young women suffer from bulimia, with 1 in 10 reported males who suffer from the disorder. Due to the ongoing increase in eating disorders, it is imperative to find the most beneficial forms of treatment for those diagnosed with eating disorders. At the present, there is not one single cause of eating disorders, however, there is a number of factors that can place an individual at an increased risk. This includes a family history of mental health problems, criticism of body image by others such as being a ballet dancer, specific personality traits such as obsessive behaviors, anxiety and perfectionism. Those with eating disorders have found that their symptoms increased when faced with stressful situations and life events; using food to control the chaos of the stressful event. Dance movement

The disorders that are included in the ASDs category include autism, Rett-syndrome, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS]. ASD is identified by impaired social interaction and communication skills, limiting repetitive behaviors, and can also include seizure disorders and developmental delays. The onset of ASD occurs in childhood and is commonly diagnosed between 18 to 24 months, and it is four to five times more likely to occur in boys than girls. The CDC has estimated an increase to 1 in 110 compared to 1 in 150 in 2007. Twin studies have shown that genetics do play a significant role in developing ASD, in addition the environment may also play role since there has been a twenty-fold increase in the last twenty years. The etiology of ASD also includes exposures to toxins, prenatal and postnatal infections, maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies, genetic abnormalities, and