Eating Disorder in Adulthood and Its Treatment - Essay Example

Eating Disorder in Adulthood and Treatment Essay Eating disorder affects alarge number of people, especially young people or adolescents. However, it has been discovered that a number of young adults and older adults also suffer from eating disorder. Eating disorder is generally associated with psychiatric problems caused by several factors, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and so on (Johnson et al., 2002). There are events in an adult’s life that bring about these factors, such as losing one’s job or a loved one, stress from work, financial difficulties, etc. Still, there are specific treatments for eating disorder available to adults suffering from it. Nutritional treatment, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, family therapy, and so on are effective in curing eating disorder (Engel et al., 2013). This essay thoroughly analyzes the nature of eating disorder in adulthood and the available treatment. Comprehensive Review of Related Professional Literature Eating disorders are widespread psychiatric problems that, in relation to their prevalence and commonness, get not much of an attention. Most current studies of the commonness of eating disorders suggest an incidence for eating disorders, taken all together, quite the same as that for bipolar disorder and higher than the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eating disorders are definitely relevant to the issue of mental health in adulthood. In reality, they could be particular among psychiatric problems in the level to which their emergence, development, and treatment pursuit is focused in adolescence and adulthood (Johnson et al., 2002). An increasing number of adult men and women are nowadays looking for treatment, questioning ideas that eating disorders develop commonly during adolescence. Even though the commonness of eating disorders in adulthood is not recognized, there appears a rise not just among those who have it but also in family members and experts more probable to take into consideration the diagnosis and treatment regardless of age (Allen et al., 2013). Adults with eating disorders show different symptoms. Patients could show new symptoms, recurrence of symptoms, heightened awareness and anxiety related to continuous mild symptoms or continuous and serious signs. People with persistent symptoms, did not receive any treatment for their eating disorder, and may at last look for treatment because they realize their health is in trouble caused by prolonged eating problems (Heatherton et al., 1997). Some of these symptoms are missing meals, practicing strict or inflexible eating routines (e.g. slicing food into very small pieces), refusing to engage in social activities, tireless worrying or whining about being fat, an inaccurate body image, like whining about being fat in spite of being very thin or underweight (Landa & Bybee, 2007). Older adults with eating disorders may show a wide array of symptoms such as severe weight changes, obesity, binge eating, severely controlled eating, obsession with plastic surgery, severe body displeasure, vomiting, and compulsive exercise. Comorbid medical and psychiatric problems are usual as they are at a young age, especially problems with depression, anxiety, and alcoholism (Johnson et al., 2002). In several adults too much body displeasure may persist to be a center of attention in adulthood. Adults have more resources or capability to acquire plastic surgery. Even though plastic surgery can enhance self-confidence for a number of people, most people who undergo these plastic surgeries are in fact normal in size and weight. People wanting several needless surgeries must be examined for eating disorders. Not much is known about eating disorders among adult males. According to studies, adult men are more and more looking for treatment especially for body issues, having problems with compulsive exercise and binge eating (Engel et al., 2013). Adulthood can also have its developmental problems, limiting a person’s ability to adjust. Pregnancy can have a negative impact on women who experienced body displeasure and eating problems. Body and weight changes could increase anxiety over body image. Fortunately, numerous patients recover or exhibit reduction of symptoms during pregnancy. However, body image after giving birth usually reappears (Heatherton et al., 1997). Old dysfunctional practices of coping could also reemerge. Adulthood is also a period when many are confronted with disease, weakness, and aging of their own parents. Becoming their parents’ caregiver, unsettled guilt and disappointments can set off old habits. In the present economy, older adults may confront financial difficulties or joblessness. At risk people can become incapable, trying to recover old habits of controlling emotion. Death and bereavement may heighten depression (Landa & Bybee, 2007). Treatment plans could be modified to also tackle areas associated with loss, life changes, and aging. Specific attention and care are available for patients who have experienced problem with serious and persistent symptoms. Harm prevention and decreasing social seclusion are important issues. Persistent undernourishment can weaken self-regulatory functions and affect brain performance resulting in severe inflexibility. Digestive processes could be permanently harmed by nutritional inadequacy, damaged tissue perfusion, and laxatives resulting in difficulties absorbing (Engel et al., 2013). Osteoporosis—makes bones fragile and brittle-- and Osteopenia— or, bone loss-- could restrict movement and flexibility earlier than predicted. People with chronic disease will experience grief, as they become aware of wasted chances and feel humiliation and guilt about any believed neglect of treatment before (Landa & Bybee, 2007). The therapist could be confronted with regret over opportunities missed as patients realize how alone they are, without strong personal and intimate relationships, without jobs, incapable of fulfilling or going for their ambitions because of persistent incapacitating syndrome. There are no scientific studies evaluating treatment procedures in older adults. Use of treatments generally to deal with the particular requirements of older patients showing signs of eating disorders appears suitable. According to literature, new emergence or reappearance of symptoms in older adults could be effectively cured by bringing back nutrition, reinforcing social support, and psychotherapy methods the same as those effective in younger people (Johnson et al., 2002). Those who have been very ill for many years could gain from another approach with particular focus on enhancing relationships, preventing harm, and sustaining reliance and capability. Those with serious and chronic mental problem, the common notions of working up or taking advantage of strengths, such as involving family members and other significant others in treatment, and thorough regular evaluation and treatment of psychiatric and clinical comorbidity are very vital (Johnson et al., 2002). Studies on treatment of eating disorder in adulthood are important, because only through them will experts be able to create effective methods to reduce symptoms and enhance the quality of life of those suffering from eating disorders. Personal Life Experience and Conclusion Based on my experience, adults that look for treatment for their eating disorder could have lately experienced this problem or it could be reappearance or an extension of their eating disorder. For patients wherein it is reappearance or an extension, there could be a prolonged and broad eating disorder and therapy background. This can also imply the eating disorder is deeply rooted in the person’s life. This continued eating disorder background can imply several treatment efforts at different stages of care, such as residential, outpatient, or inpatient, and also the eating disorder as a usual part of one’s life (Allen et al., 2013). The idea of modifying behavior or habits and setting loose the eating disorder can be too much. Moreover, going back to treatment can make a person hopeless, as though s/he has been unsuccessful in the treatment again. Based on my personal knowledge with eating disorder, I believe that nutritional treatment is the most effective. Nutritional balance is important to add into the start of treatment; this is factual despite treatment setting and it is real although pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or these two are also carried out. My friend who was suffering from it gone through nutritional treatment and I can say that this treatment approach can be very effective alongside other treatments, like psychotherapy (Heatherton et al., 1997). Nutritional treatment for people like my friend who are low weight is made up of mainly continuing an eating habit or pattern adequate to maintain weight gain until a normal ‘weight’ is reached. Treatment usually requires bringing back regular meals, usually supplemented by at least 2 snacks daily. Once the desired weight has been attained, body mass index (BMI) normally goes down, and calorie needs too (Johnson et al., 2002). My friend decided to seek treatment because of the stigma attached to eating disorder. People sometimes miss opportunities like career promotions or employment prospects because of their weight. It is widely believed that someone with low weight have greater self-discipline and therefore a more effective, competent employee. When my friend practiced anorexic methods and dropped a large volume of weight, she usually gets compliments and approvals for her body and for what seemed like a controlled and orderly life. But the reality is her eating disorder was killing her physically and mentally. I remember the time when she started to understand that her body is not who she is as a person. Her psychiatrist helped her see her true self, not relying on her body image. She realized that it did not matter how other people see her physical appearance, because who she is was defined by how she treats other people, how she values them, and how she contributes to the improvement of her community and our society. Conclusion Eating disorders are widespread psychiatric problems. Eating disorders are definitely relevant to the issue of mental health in adulthood. Adults with eating disorders show different symptoms. Patients could show new symptoms, recurrence of symptoms, heightened awareness and anxiety related to continuous mild symptoms or continuous and serious signs. Fortunately, specific attention and care are available for patients who have experienced problem with serious and persistent symptoms. According to literature, new emergence or reappearance of symptoms in older adults could be effectively cured by bringing back nutrition, reinforcing social support, and psychotherapy methods the same as those effective in younger people (Johnson et al., 2002). It is vital to seek treatment at the very first signs of eating disorders in adulthood. References Allen, K., Oddy, S., Crosby, W., & Ross, D. (2013). DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 eating disorders in adolescents: Prevalence, stability, and psychosocial correlates in a population-based sample of male and female adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122(3), 720-732. Engel, S., Wonderlich, S., Crosby, R., Mitchell, J., Crow, S., Le Grange, C., Simonich, D., Cao, H., Lavender, L., Gordon, J. (2013). The role of effect in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa: Evidence from a naturalism assessment of monetary behaviors and emotion. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122(3), 709-719. Heatherton, T., Mahamedi, F., Megfield, A., & Keel, P. (1997). A 10-year longitudinal study of body weight, dieting, and eating disorder symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(1), 117-125. Johnson, J., Kotler, P., Kasen, L., & Brook, S. (2002). Psychiatric disorders associated with risk for the development of eating disorders during adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(5), 1119-1128. Landa, C. & Bybee, J. (2007). Adaptive elements of aging: Self-image discrepancy, perfectionism, and eating problems. Developmental Psychology, 43(1), 83-93. Read More