Eating Disorders Effects and Issues - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Eating Disorders The paper analyses some of the detrimental effects of eating disorders, it has become often to see these problems in the current society because of the evolutionary effects. This paper outlines some of the common habits which may be unhealthy to indulge in. For example, undersize and oversize this in real sense may not be the right body weights as per the attributes of a given individual in the society. Table of contents Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Eating Disorders Classification------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Diagnosis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Anorexia Nervosa-------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Bulimia Nervosa--------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified--------------------------------------- 4 Complications -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Anorexia Nervosa------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Bulimia Nervosa--------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified---------------------------------------- 6 Treatment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Impediment to care--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 References ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 1. Introduction This paper analyses some of the problems associated with poor eating habits. It starts with an introduction of the overall concept of eating disorders in the society. Eating disorders can be interpreted simply as a measure of not taking what you ought to take; an individual is termed as a bad eater when they do not feed on the amount they are supposed to eat. The paper also illustrates a number of factors which lead to poor eating habits, after which there are a number of treatments given to the associated illness. Finally is the conclusion and recommendations. 2. Eating disorder classifications Eating disorders are among the most common illnesses which are affecting people in the society. The majority of the victims of this illness are the adolescents who encompass approximately 60% of the victims. The three major subgroups of the illness include: restrictive form; in this category, food intake are severely impaired, which leads to a state of anorexia nervosa. The second category is the bulimic form; here, there is overeating which is followed by vomiting or fasting, the hold process can be termed as bulimia nervosa. Finally, the third category is kind of unique, since it has no effects of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. This third category is the most common illness, the majority of the patients who suffer from eating disorders fall under this category; they are the most who are seen in hospitals seeking for medical assistance. Thus, it can be referred as to EDNOS or basically eating disorders. It is under this group that the majority of the victims of the illness, constitute the adolescent group; the main reason for this is that they are often in the developmental stages and they require a lot of food intake (Fox 2009). 3. Diagnosis There are a number of methods through which diagnosis of this ailment can be done depending on the group being diagnosed. The most common technique used is the DSM IV-TR framework:- 3.1. Anorexia Nervosa The patient refuses to maintain a standard body weight; this can be either minimal normal weight in reference to the age or severe weight loss which leads to a body weight of less than 85% of the expected weight level. Some individuals may prefer to remain at a lower weight due to cultural or trend in the society which leads to growth of less than 85% of the expected weight. Some people portray a fear of gaining body weight even though they are under-weight. Denial of the current self, some people do not want to attain some shapes which unfortunately they do attain at certain stages in life. Amenorrhea can also lead to the illness, this is the lack of three consecutive menstrual cycles in a woman; however, there is an exception to this case whereby a woman under medication can skip a couple of menstrual periods. These conditions are subject to the following factors; binge eating or restrictive behaviours in that during the period which the person has not subjected themselves to binge eating (Keel, Brown, Holland &Bodell, 2012). 3.2. Bulimia Nervosa This is a scenario where a person cannot have control over their eating habits. It is mostly characterized by over eating where the patient intakes a lot of food almost after every 2-3 hour interval. The more the food they take, the more they are expected to gain weight, however, it is not the case of these individuals as they seek alternative approaches of making sure that the junks taken are realized before weight is gained; the individual undertakes a forced induction in which case they force themselves to vomit. 3.3. Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Unlike the above two categories, eating habits in this category do not meet any of the criteria above. Some of the examples which are common in this category include; females unlike in Anorexia Nervosa undergo complete menstruation cycles plus other effects explained in Anorexia Nervosa. Weight loss remains in its normal range despite the loss; binge eating occurs less than 3-4 months plus other effects which occur in bulimia Nervosa. A patient suffering is normally seen chewing repeatedly and spitting. The above diagnostic procedures fall short in application to the adolescents, it is common to see the adolescent’s female group missing on the menstrual cycle or experiencing immense body changes in terms of weight. The changes exhibited in puberty stage are completely the same as the above criteria; for example, in puberty there’s body increment, this may not be generally due to an eating disorder but it’s brought about by the radical body change to maturity. 4. Complications Over time eating disorders have accounted for a large portion of deaths and mental conditions. It is the adverse associated problems that have compelled medical practitioners to endeavour and formulate a way out. In the US alone the illness has spread significantly and indiscriminately. Although Bulimia Nervosa was majorly associated with the rich; in fact, it was referred to a rich mans disease; however nowadays it has been reported even attacking the poor and middle class in the society, some of the complications of the ailment are depicted below:- 4.1. Anorexia Nervosa Complications This category encompasses a class of people who under eat; this is to mean that the body is majorly deprived of very important minerals. The body will eventually begin to slow down ultimately bringing a lot of complications to the person. Generally the body cannot effectively function if it is not rejuvenated in the right manner and at the moment when it deserves it. Some of the problems which may be brought about by this illness include; retarded growth or maturity- on most occasions this point out the individuals in the society who are not yet matured, either in puberty or at the final stages of growth. Low blood pressure is another main condition, by the body struggling to maintain a thermostatic environment, there however lack of strength impairs the performance. Other related complications include; curtailed breathing rate, skin drying and becoming scaly and the female population with the illness will experience Amenorrhea, due to inactive metabolism the body temperature drops immensely and among other numerous effects which are brought about by the poor functionality of the body. Sometimes if the illness is not attended to by a professional then it can lead to death since the body will definitely collapse. 4.2. Bulimia Nervosa Unlike Anorexia it’s very difficult to detect this kind of illness, the patients suffering from such will look physically fit and of right body weight. Most often the patient will find it embarrassing to admit about their eating habits. With the huge amounts of food intakes on a regular interval basis, he body finds it hard to keep up with digestion of the food, this in the end leads to a huge accumulation of food in the body or stomach. Most at times you will hear such patients complaining about stomach gases. The body becomes completely incapable of handling the amount of food it is given. Chemicals eventually accumulate which bring about the adverse effects to the body (Watson, Fursland &Byrne 2013). Some of the complications created by this type of illness include; irregular chemical imbalances in the body, this might eventually lead to hormonal disruptions and poor or impaired heartbeats. Throat and gastric complications, the throat becomes burned up with the gases, which emanate from the stomach while gastric may rupture due to poor environment which creates an imbalance of ions and salts. The acids in the stomach may lead to stomach complications. Gastrointestinal problems will eventually crop up; this will lead to a number of factors in the body imbalances. If not treated well the problem may escalate to a point of death of an individual. 4.3. Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified EDNOS incorporates the effects of the above two categories, these aspects make it the most deadly of them all. Over time there has been an overlook on this type of illness, however, in the present, many health practitioners are moving to cushion its impacts. EDNOS is very detrimental to its victims who without medical attention will never regain. Hormonal imbalances and poor growth properties may be named as some of the complications brought about by this illness. Reports have it that EDNOS causes double problems as compared to Bulimia and Anorexia. Evolution has brought about a number of factors in place. For instance, there used to be no candy and chocolates in stores, being a new entrant into the market, it has shifted a lot of attention; children presently will prefer to take unhealthy fast foods instead of correcting feeding of balanced diets (Watson, Fursland &Byrne 2013). 5. Treatment Like any other condition, early diagnosis is very important. Early identification of the disorder will lead to proper drug administration and proper behavioural techniques. An outstanding approach to a long term cure to the disorders is some form of psychological counselling and therapy to an individual. Each individual is best suited to a different approach; this means that the treatment should be skewed to suit the individual question. Thus, doctors should collect preliminary analysis of their patient and take note of the serious side effects a certain treatment may lead to. However, counselling on eating habits is the universally best approach as framed by a number of medical practitioners. It is not a harmful ordeal and it leads to understanding the ailments of the patients deeply. Nutritionist care is provided to the patient, the patient is assisted by a qualified nutritionist who monitors their performance. The nutritionist will be in a position to offer a stable environment for the victim of the illness; this means that the nutritionist takes the mandate of ensuring that the patient observes the right eating habit. Each moment the nutritionist will give a menu on the right foods to the patient and try to emphasize on the importance of a balanced diet. Additionally, other relevant persons can come to the aid of the victim of the illness, for example a social worker can occasionally come in to help in a few areas which match their capabilities (Watson, Fursland &Byrne 2013). Outpatient therapy is another area on which the victim can get help; this encompasses friends and family who may assist the patient to learn on the right procedures of eating. The responsibility to take care of a friend in this scenario comes in automatically. A friend will never shy away to say what they feel. On the other hand, parents will be able to administer important skills to their children and guide them effectively. The initiative taken by the society is very important in ensuring that outpatients are effectively treated and get the same advantages like the inpatients (Trace, Baker, Peñas-Lledó &Bulik 2013). Inpatient approach will also help curb the impediment, although there is a small distinction between the inpatient and outpatient, there is almost a correlation for each of them a doctor’s report is given. An inpatient has access to the full attention of the doctors until they are discharged. The health practitioner will then monitor the performance of the patient should the patient need an urgent operation or medication the doctor will be available to handle the emergency. This approach is immensely used on serious problems, it is when the body no longer responds to the outpatient therapy, hence clear and constant observation is required (Marsden, Karagianni & Morgan 2006). The main treatment for this ailment is one accepting them the way they are; there should be a personal appreciation of the body size and structure of an individual. Each person with that realization will learn to be always themselves and not copying the celebrities on televisions and magazines. Eating habits is what is ingrained in a human mind; it is essentially the consciousness of one’s physique and nature. 6. Impediments to care In any platform, there must come a number of challenges which will hamper the normal operations of an activity. Combating eating disorder is not always easy as one has to break a long chain of barriers. The barriers may be emanating from within the victim or around the victim whichever is the case, it is very hard to get a smooth flow of results or treatment. Societal impacts are very detrimental to arriving at a smooth and constant solution to the ailments. For example, in some societies it is a taboo to talk about your eating habits. In such kind of environments you will get that a sick person will keep quiet until the whole problem plummets’ (Lobera, Estébanez, Fernández, Bautista & Garrido 2009). High costs of seeking medical attention also deter a number of people from seeking the right channels of health management. As we have seen some of the complications created by the illness will subjectively require professional help. If the problem has grown to a higher extent, then it is only advisable to seek a qualified and trained doctor to check on the problem. However, medical services are thus costly, putting many people at the wall waiting for the right moments which may never come. It is astonishing to realize that a number of the people who have perished from the illness may never have sought guidance from relevant personnel. Desire to look like celebrities is another huge factor which has pushed individuals to develop eating disorders. The lean bodies characterized by beautiful body curves are what many females are seeking to have. By trying to fit into another person’s shoes, there is a disruption of the normal functionality of a person’s life. Essentially it’s very negative to adopt a lifestyle which does not suit you. The internet has brought out a lot of information which ought to be used productively instead of constantly copying what is not embodied in oneself. 7. Conclusion With the adverse effects and nature of eating disorders, they should be identified early before they become detrimental to the victim. Early identification will lead to early treatment. Diagnosis of the eating disorders should be formulated to clear the gaps that exist in the society. The medical fraternity should come up with a framework which best works to identify, analyse and solve a particular eating disorder. Psychologists should come out strongly to handle the mental characteristics of the victims at the right time. Personal esteem is very important as it guards against the error of neglecting our own personalities. The society can play as a major tool of correction when it comes to eating disorders. The shaping of an individual’s mindset is highly inclined on the way the society has shaped them. Lack of medical facilities should never be an excuse for the rise of the illness; in decades ago the illness was not abundant as it is now. The main cure of this illness is within each individual’s inner self, thus, each person should come out strongly and endeavour to bring change in the society. Numerous medical practitioners have tried to come together and decipher an everlasting solution to this ailment. In recent collaborative forum between the UK and the US, there was a decision to adopt an evidence based approach in trying to fight the disease. It takes more than one individual or state to formulate a cure, the effect being felt across the globe, it is better for international agencies to work together. References Fox, J. E. (2009). Eating disorders and emotions. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 16(4), 237-239. Keel, P. K., Brown, T.A., Holland, L. A., &Bodell, L. P., (2012). Empirical Classification of Eating DisordersAnnual Review of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 8: 381-404. Lobera, I., Estébanez, S. S., Fernández, M., Bautista, E., & Garrido, O. O. (2009). Coping strategies in eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 17(3), 220-226. Marsden, P., Karagianni, E., & Morgan, J. F., (2006). Spirituality and clinical care in eating disorders: A qualitative study. Trace S. E., Baker J. H., Peñas-Lledó, E. &Bulik C.M. (2013). The Genetics of Eating Disorders. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 9: 589-620. Watson, H. J., Fursland, A., &Byrne, S. (2013), Treatment engagement in eating disorders: Who exits before treatment?. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 46: 553–559. Read More