Eating Disorder and Mental Health - Case Study Example

Eating Disorder and Mental Health University’s Name: Submitted by: Tutor: Date: Introduction A mental illness also goes by the name of mental disorder is a condition that affects a person’s psychological functions. It results in an individual inability to function properly in ordinary life. Every day, myriads of people present with symptoms that could be classified as mental disorders but some of these illnesses take time to note and to act on (Barry and Farmer 2002). The behavioral patterns of people who suffer from mental disorders can point to a problem as they present in situations where the patient suffers greatly. At times, it is not clear what propagates a person to have a mental disorder but many aspects can contribute to the possibility of a person suffering from a mental illness. This paper is going to look at the case of Tania, a 23-year-old female who is in college studying to be a lawyer. She seemingly comes from a good background with no history of mental disorders. As a young woman, she has achieved the appropriate developmental milestones, has not engaged in any destructive or addictive tendency such as drinking, drugs or alcohol abuse. Tania is not on any medication and has no history of a psychiatric condition. However, she has been known to diet from the age of 14. Tania’s parents are concerned over their daughter’s weight loss and her tendency to restrict herself from eating as well her excessive exercise routine in the last six months. Over the last two months, the family GP for gastrointestinal issues has seen Tania. She denies abusing laxatives or vomiting and believes her parents are fussing over nothing. It is clear that Tania has an eating disorder owing to the evidence that she has lost over sixty percent of her bodyweight in a year. That is a dangerous amount of weight to lose over such a short period for someone with her initial weight. This paper will look at Tania’s case to determine whether she has an eating disorder and consider the steps for remedy. Mental Health Mental health issues present in a variety of ways and are classified differently. For a condition to be categorized as a mental health issue, it must cause a dysfunction in the life of the person presenting with the symptoms. It is a psychological pattern of behaviors that cause the individual to be distressed or impairs their ability to perform normal life functions to the best of their abilities. Mental health are serious health issues that may result in a poor quality of life, pain, disability and even the risk of death. There are different categories of mental health disorders and various presentation of human behavior that can be considered to be disordered. Issues such as panic, fear, anxiety are under metal health disorders. This particular case looks at eating disorder, which presents itself as unrealistic and unbalanced views and concerns over food, weight and its consequent effect on the body. Eating disorders have different categories such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. These disorders present themselves in an abnormal eating pattern that negative effect on an individual’s health and general well-being. This means that an individual’s mental and physical wellness is affected in a negative light. In binge eating, an individual eats large amounts of food within a short period. Anorexia nervosa occurs when an individual will restrict their food intake drastically over a long period and this result into very low weight. Bulimia presents in an individual eating large amounts of food and then try to get rid of it through an induced action of vomiting. It is not entirely clear the causes of eating disorders but factors such as the environment and genes seem to play a role. Tania’s case appears to be anorexia nervosa as she restricts her food intake and exercises a lot even when it is evident that it is causing her problems such as gastrointestinal issues. It is purported that the cultural representation of an ideal body contributes to the advent of many eating disorders. This can be seen in the population and percentage of the types of people that present with eating disorders. Many models are affected by eating disorders owing to the cultural belief of what is considered beautiful. There is a belief that the thinner someone is, the more attractive they are considered. This notion interferes with the body image of people who are in professions that applaud beauty above everything else. Sexual abuse also seems to contribute to the likelihood of an individual presenting with an eating disorder. It is one of the factors to consider in the development of an eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa This eating disorder is commonly referred to as anorexia and is characterized by a lower than normal weigh in an individual. Individuals suffering from anorexia have a strong yearning to be thin and as such, they restrict their food intake as they have a morbid fear of gaining weight. Anorexia sufferers often see themselves as being overweight even when it is evident and apparent to others that they are wasting away. When presented with the effects of their food restrictions, they are usually defensive on having an eating disorder. They are oblivious to the fact that their extreme eating habits are having a negative impact on their health. Such individuals my weigh themselves constantly and even obsessively to determine that they are not gaining weight. They may cut out entire food groups or eat ridiculously little amounts. They may also just eat certain types of foods and exercise obsessively in a bid to keep losing weight. Some may induce vomiting or abuse laxatives in a bid to get rid of any food they consider excess in their body (Hoek & Van Hoeken 2003, p. 283) Tania presents with almost all the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. She has lost over sixty percent of her body weight in one year. She refuses to eat even though she prepares the meals and she exercises excessively. Even though she has lost a significant amount of weight, she still believes that she has to lose weight and considers herself fat. Tania is unaware that she has an eating disorder as she denies having a problem. She believes that her parents are making a huge fuss over nothing. Anorexic individuals starve their bodies to achieve continuous weight loss even after they have begun showing signs of complications. Tania seems to be a perfect candidate for this mental illness. It is important to address Tania’s condition as the illness can cause major damage to the organs in the body and may even result in death. When the body goes through starvation, low levels of potassium in the body can result in abnormal heart palpitations, gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and bloating. The body can get fatigued due to the wasting away of the muscles which may result in difficulties such being unable to perform normal day to day functions. Treatment It is important to understand that no standard treatment is available for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Different approaches may be taken and some have been known to produce better results than others. It is however important to start treatment and engage in early intervention as this guarantees a higher degree of effectiveness. Treatment is normally focused on ensuring an individual is returned to an ideal body weight that supports the usual functions of the body. In Tania’s case, the body is already not functioning at its optimum level. We can see this by the visit to the doctor over two months for gastrointestinal problems. She has also been advised to consume more fiber and this is evident enough that she does not eat sufficiently. The second aspect of treatment needs to deal with the underlying psychological issues that may have caused Tania to develop this eating disorder. After establishing the triggers that led to the advent of the illness, the third step is to eliminate these triggers. Triggers could be behaviors that have led to the development of the condition. King & Turner (2000) stress that the steps involved in treating anorexia nervosa are comprehensive, as the patient has to be monitored to ensure they follow the steps necessary for their well-being. It is important to carefully examine the patient and try to make them understand that their eating behavior is not considered normal. Treatment is more effective when it is voluntary rather than forced. In forced treatment, the patient may rebel and refuse to eat anything which would beat the sense of the treatment. Early intervention is important to cut the dangers involved as a result of too much weight loss. Connection Between Mental and physical Health The mind and the body of a human being are linked. The state of an individual mind affects the body as they function in tandem. There have been associations between mental and physical health that have a huge impact on the quality of life people lead. Health is defined as a state of utter and complete social, mental and physical well-being. In this respect, it not just an absence of a physical ailment. It would be difficult to be completely healthy without having mental health. Levchuck, Drohan, & Kosek, (2000) note that eating disorders such as anorexia are caused by a complex interaction of biological factors, genetic factors and psychosocial factors. It is therefore important to understand and comprehend the psychological state of an individual before commencing any kind of treatment. The connection between and individual’s mental health and their physical health may lead to a better understanding of the problem (Boyd 2008). In Tania’s case, it is paramount to determine the mindset that has made her actions what they are. The case notes that both Tania’s parents are busy doctors and even though they say the family is close knit, it may not be the case. An eating disorder such as anorexia may stem from feeling a lack of connection with the family or a feeling of neglect. Tania’s parents may be working hard but they may not notice how their busy schedule affects the health of their children. Tania is said to have a history of dieting since she was fourteen. A fourteen-year-old child needs the care and attention of parents as they are going through a changing period in their life. At fourteen, Tania was a young girl growing into womanhood. Her body was going through changes she may not have understood. This is the time she was establishing her self-identity. If the parents were too busy to give her the attention she needed and explain to her the period she was going through, it is likely she developed body image issues. Garner, Olmstead & Polivy, (1983) explain that eating disorders are associated with an individual perception about their body image to a large degree. It is possible that Tania felt she did not conform to the societal standards of beauty and attractiveness and started dieting. It is said that such disorders happen after a traumatic or life changing period in the life of a person. Adolescence can be categorized as a life changing experience in the life of a fourteen-year-old girl. The notion that she is not thin enough or that she is fat is all in the mind. She considers herself fat even when it is evident to the world that she is wasting away. This means that her metal picture of what is ideal is distorted and not all right. This issue with weight is a day-to-day preoccupation in the mind of Tania and she projects this by restricting food intake. This preoccupation with weight loss may be a way for Tania to replace unpleasant emotions, which are the core of the problem as it gives her an illusion of being in control (Shives 2008) Mental Health Needs of the Patient It is important for Tania to get comprehensive and specialized treatment from an expert of mental health and eating disorders. This will make the recovery process easier and more likely to result in positive outcome. Tania needs to be assessed by a team of professional who will know the root of the problem. It is important to begin with her psychological state to get to the root of the cause of her anorexia. After the feelings and emotions have been established, the correct path will be followed in ensuring she recovers. The plan should be tailored to suit her as an individual. This means looking at the activities she surrounds her life with. First, she is a law student, which means she has pressure to perform. It is important to determine if the pressure is causing her to project this onto her eating habits. Since she has been dieting since fourteen, it is vital to understand if she has always felt a tremendous amount of pressure in her life. Obsessive dieting points to control issues as it takes control to be able to starve the body willingly (Golden, Peterson & Kramer 2009) The most vital part in addressing Tania’s condition is to restore her physical health but this would be a daunting task if the underlying factors are not addressed. In this sense, therapy is important for Tania. Therapy has to be inclusive. This means that all the pertinent people in Tania’s environment have to undergo therapy to understand the roles they play in the eating disorder. Therapy can be conducted individually or in a group setting depending with the patient’s willingness and comfort level. In the treatment of an eating disorder, therapy is the pillar of the road to recovery (Rhoads 2011). This step will help the patient to address the emotions that led to the disorder. These emotions can be expressed through therapy and in the process the patient can get healing. Björkman, Angelman & Jönsson (2008, p. 170) notes that through therapy, the patient can learn healthier methods of coping, learn useful skills of managing their disorder, communicating her fears and maintaining a healthy relationship with food. The patient may also need medication to control anxiety related to their fear of gaining weight. The caregivers of the patient in this case the parents and the sibling should also be involved in therapy in order to understand the causes of their patient’s eating disorder. This may help know how to help her on the road to recovery (McMaster et al 2004). Implications for a Health Care Professional Having the knowledge and comprehension of eating disorder can help a registered nurse to know how to go about caring for an eating disorder patient. A nurse can monitor the eating habits of the patient throughout the treatment process from an informed point of view. This means that they will know the procedures to follow in dealing with Tania in this case. A registered nurse will also know how to tailor make the treatment and management of the particular patient as per their history since no two patients are alike (Ingersoll & Welfel 2004). The nurse may determine if the patient may be taken care of in primary or secondary care environment. This means they can be treated and monitored from the home environment or from a hospital (Videbeck 2013). Monitoring and evaluating the progress of the patient is important to avoid any relapse into the habits they have formed. Meals times can be set at particular intervals and the patient monitored to eat the meals without maybe hiding the meals or vomiting after meals. Ramjan (2004) notes that, a nurse is a professional caregiver and should reserve their feelings and opinions about the patient. They should be neutral in the process of educating the family and the patient about mental illnesses. The nurse’s obligations lie in understanding eating disorders comprehensively (Shives 2008), recognizing the signs and symptoms that trigger an unhealthy relationship with food and take the required steps for intervention. Conclusion Tania presents with all the signs and symptoms of a patient suffering from an eating disorder. She restricts her meals and exercises excessively. She has lost over sixty percent of her weight in a year and does not seem to notice that her behavior is consistent with someone suffering from anorexia. The patient has a history of dieting from the tender age of fourteen and already the weight loss and lack of eating have started impacting on her health negatively. She has been to the family doctor for gastrointestinal issues like bloating and constipation and has been advised to up her fiber intake. People with eating disorders of this nature often are unaware of their condition or are in denial. Treatment involves a step-by-step process that incorporates therapy, monitoring and evaluation. The primary concern of treatment is to regulate the patient’s health and weight to safe levels so that the body can function at its optimum. In this area, therapy may include both the patient and the family. It is important to understand the feelings that led to the patient’s negative relationship with food. Society and culture also play a role in mental disorders especially eating disorders. An unrealistic expectation of beauty and attractiveness may lead the patient to have a negative view about food and weight gain. A registered nurse needs to have a good understanding on the condition and follow the steps involved in caring for the patient. Monitoring and evaluation are important steps in the treatment of a patient with an eating disorder. Identifying the signs and symptoms ensure that the patient is accorded the most suitable treatment and follow up is done. Health care professional also need to read extensively to keep him or herself informed on mental illnesses, as every patient’s conditions are unique. This helps in tailor making a treatment plan for the individuals no two patients are the same. Reference List Barry, P. & Farmer, S 2002. Mental health & mental illness. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 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