Anorexia Nervosa - Research Paper Example

Anorexia Nervosa Abstract This study aimed at investigating the effect of cognitive therapy on an eating disorder anorexia nervosa. In this study, there were be 58 participants both males and females aged between 12-30 years. The study involved celebrities, college students, working class, models and other randomly selected people in Indiana State who were anorexic. The researchers then placed some of the subjects or participants under cognitive therapy while the rest acted as a control group. We then monitored the two groups for two months and determine the difference in weight, perception, attitude, and self-confidence. Introduction For quite a long time many scientists have engaged into studies related to most of the eating disorders. Amongst the most challenging eating disorder is Anorexia Nervosa. Advertising continues to undermine autonomy especially for women. This is because advertising especially for women has been used as a tool to promote beauty at the expense of one’s health and value [Hoc08]. Due to competition in the world of advertising artists have been forced to focus on specific parts of the women’s body and turn them into objects, which is dehumanizing. For this reason, most women have refused to believe that they can get old and engage in facial make up in order to look good. In addition to this, some have been forced to enter into difficult diets that end up destroying their natural looks. It is no wonder that one out of 200 American women is suffering from anorexia just for beauty [Lau06]. On the other hand, one third of adults in the US are suffering from obesity due to misleading concepts of beauty from the advertisements. Statement of the Problem Most of the parents struggle with their children suffering from eating disorders mainly due to the fear of gaining weight. Most of the teenagers and even ladies below 30 years suffer from anorexia nervosa. Is it possible that cognitive therapy is able to alleviate this problem? Purpose of the Study It is important for most teenagers especially girls to learn on how to take care of their health to prevent damaging their self-image. This study is aiming at conductive a cognitive therapy on certain participants to determine the effect of cognitive therapy on anorexia nervosa. Solution Criteria To be able to access cognitive therapy as a means of treating anorexia nervosa Proposed Task Statement The problem can be solved by advising most of the teenagers on the effect of anorexia nervosa through counseling in schools, colleges, and at work. The problem can also be solved through encouraging the affected people to develop self-confidence and right attitude to prevent them from deterring their self-image. Objectives and desired outcome One of the objectives of using cognitive therapy in treating the eating disorder will help in boosting self-image and confidence amongst the youths who are suffering from peer influence. We expect that use of cognitive therapy is going to help the affected people to change their attitude and consequently increase weight to desired standard, which will help them, carry their daily physical activities without fatigue. Materials and methods The participants were selected randomly within Indiana State. Some of the participants included college students, high school, students, employees, models, and other randomly chosen people of age 12 to 30 years. We chose that age limit because most of the research shows that this age group is most affected. Participation was voluntary and ethics was observed. Confidentiality was observed and all the details of the participants was kept secret[Car07]. Permission was obtained from parents. Some of the participants gave up on the way while others continued especially with those under therapy. 15 participants 12 females and 3 males were placed under cognitive therapy while the rest were treated s control group. Participants placed under cognitive received counseling therapies from nutritionist, peer educators, and sports specialists. Participation was flexible as there were three sessions in a day[Peñ12]. Participants attended any of the three sessions depending on their availability. Their diet was sampled and weight recorded every day. Psychologists also engaged the participants in pep talks that aimed at boosting their level of confidence. Participants under cognitive therapy shared stories and life experiences in addition to engaging in-group participation. Therapist observed the participants behaviors while participating in social activities and recorded their observations. Results After 8 weeks of the study the following results were given. 60% of the outpatient participants who had clinical signs of anorexia nervosa normally possessing a basal metabolic rate of between 15.0-17.5 had shown significant improvement. Results indicate that the participants BMI was above 17.5 meaning that they were not underweight. The figure below explains the results of cognitive therapy for anorexics. Results from psychological therapy indicated that 96% of participants who engaged in the therapy process increased their weight due to change in perception. The participants improved in their social status. They were able to participate in physical activities, which increased their general body demand leading to increase in body intake and energy. Men in this group recovered fully. Participants in this group showed optimism in life and expressed desire to engage in sex. Female participants did not report any sign of missing their menses. 86 % of participants who engaged in the control group therapy indicated a significant reduction in body weight. These participants were low in morale with their hair thinning while their skin turning pale. They were choosy in their food and showed signs of anxiety and fear. They mostly suffered from fatigue and engaged less in physical activities even though 40% of them engaged in excessive training to reduce weight. They were less social and feared engaging in sexual activities. Ladies in this group also cited missing their menses up to three times in a row. Data indicate that men showed slight recovery while women suffered more. Discussion Anorexia nervosa may be caused by several factors. Biological factors such as genetics may be one of the causes of anorexia nervosa. There are those families that have a history of eating disorders[Zan11]. Obstetric complications may also have a role to play when it comes to development of anorexia nervosa[Hal12]. Most of the recent research concerning the effect of serotonin has shown that this hormone is known to influence anxiety, mood, and impulse control leading eating disorders. Nutritional deficiencies such as lack of sufficient food and lack of balanced diet may also cause anorexia nervosa. Other diseases such as anemia, diabetes mellitus may also have a direct correlation with the eating disorder[McC09]. Most of the women suffering from anorexia may develop complicated pregnancies due to sufficient amount of food. This may even lead to miscarriages. People suffering from anorexia should find some time to talk to teir peers and share their problems. These people should also avoid conditions that may lead to stress such as conflicts. They should avoid drug abuse such as excessive alcohol and smoking. Anorexic patients should maintain a proper diet and ensure that they are involved in sufficient physical activities to build their body strength and maintain their self-confidence. These people should also participate in social activities to brand their name and boost their self-esteem. It is evident from the results that cognitive therapy can be used to alleviate eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. This is because at the end of the therapy the participants looked healthier[Ols10]. Their self-confidence increased and their participation in social and physical activities increased. Their weight increased gradually as they reacted to nutritionist’s therapies and physicians. The participants developed a positive attitude towards food. Those who feared engaging in sexual activities suddenly developed a desire to have sex. Women never missed their menses. They showed good performance in school and their grades improved[Moo12]. This is because of the psychological differentiation about eating. As we utilize the food reserves in our body through intensive physical activities, our body demands more and that will tend to a desire to eat. That was the fundamental reason behind the therapies. The participants were also enlightened about eating balanced diet to avoid cases of obesity, which is also dangerous[Car11]. Conclusion From the experiments, it is evident that people suffering from anorexia suffer a damaged self-esteem. They have low morale and develop fatigue quickly. It is for this reason that a research was carried on to justify the importance of cognitive therapy on people suffering form eating disorders. From the research, we conclude that cognitive therapy help in encouraging physical activities, which later lead to, increased demand for food. This helps in overcoming anorexia. Physical and nutritional therapies help in boosting self-esteem hence avoiding stress, which has a positive impact on human growth and development. The thin hair begins to grow healthy while the pale skin changes. Blood levels increases and levels of serotonin, which increases levels of stress, and anxiety reduces. References Hoc08: , (Hockenbury, 2008, p. 593), Lau06: , (Lauren Langman and Devorah K, 2006), Car07: , (Carlson N., 2007, p. 415), Peñ12: , (Peñas-Lledó E, 2012, p. 371), Zan11: , (Zandian M, 2011, p. 290), Hal12: , (Haller E, 2012, p. 662), McC09: , (McClure & Timimi, 2009, p. 359), Ols10: , (Olson AF, 2010, p. 122), Moo12: , (Moor RJ, 2012, p. 725), Car11: , (Carlson, 2011, p. 13), Read More