Introduction
Mental health is a serious problem in today’s world and tends to be heavily stigmatized. It is a vital aspect of well-being since it influences how a person functions mentally, emotionally, and socially among others. Eating disorders (ED) are serious condition linked with the persistent eating habit that significantly impacts health, emotions, and the capacity to function in crucial areas of life. Given the importance of mental health in all aspects of life, it is critical to safeguard and develop psychological well-being through proper therapies.
Eating Disorder Symptoms, Prevalence, Causes
Most EDs involve too much focus on weight, body shape, and food, leading to unsafe eating behavior. These behaviors can significantly affect the ability to receive proper nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth, and mouth, as well as lead to other diseases. The most common EDs are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating (Introduction to Psychology, 2015). They often develop during adolescence and adolescence, although they can develop at other ages (Dobrescu et al., 2021). The problem of eating disorders is compounded by current conditions in the media arena, marketing trends, social networks, and cultural expectations around the proper weight and body.
In certain situations, the drive to reduce weight can lead to ED, which affects an estimated 1 million men and 10 million women in the United States alone (Weight in America, 2016). Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder distinguished by extremely low body weight, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight (Introduction to Psychology, 2015). The existing conventions for women in Western nations are predicated on the ideal of an extremely slender body, which leads to women accounting for nine out of ten patients (Introduction to Psychology, 2015). Anorexia begins with a rigid weight reduction diet and progresses to a fixation on food and diets.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and sometimes fatal eating disorder that is curable. It is distinguished by severe dietary restrictions and a significant dread of gaining weight (Murray et al., 2019).
It is difficult to determine whether a person has anorexia only based on appearance since it comprises mental and behavioral components in addition to physical ones. Anorexia does not require a person to be underweight. However, because of the societal stigma associated with fat and obesity, they may be less likely to be diagnosed. Someone can also be underweighted without having anorexia.
Anorexia has numerous emotional, behavioral, and physical indications and symptoms. AN is characterized by emotional and mental symptoms, such as strong dread of gaining weight, inability to judge weight and body shape correctly, excessive interest in food, calories, and diet, and feeling overweight or “fat” even when normal or underweight. Fears of certain foods or food categories, severe self-criticism, denial of the reality of being underweight, or eating limitations are further symptoms (Murray, 2019). Anorexia can also manifest itself behaviorally through changes in eating habits or daily routines, such as eating things in a specific sequence or rearranging foods on a plate, are examples. Using purification by vomiting or the use of laxatives or diuretics, diet medications or appetite suppressants, as well as obsessive and excessive exercise, are behavioral signs.
The physical symptoms of anorexia are the most evident. Low body weight for a person’s height, gender, and body shape is the most well-known physical indication of anorexia. It is crucial to realize, however, that anorexia may exist without a person being underweight. Aside from weight-related symptoms, there are other physical symptoms that are side consequences of famine and malnutrition, such as dizziness and fainting, tiredness, bradycardia, arrhythmia, and hypotension. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating and attention, constant coldness, amenorrhea or irregular periods, shortness of breath, and muscular weakness.
Anorexia, like many eating disorders, is a complex problem. As a result, the precise etiology of anorexia is unknown, although research shows that it may be caused by a mix of genetic, psychological, and environmental variables, particularly sociocultural influences (Murray et al., 2019). Genetics, trauma, environment, and culture, peer pressure – particularly for children and teenagers – and emotional health are all factors that may play a role in the development of anorexia.
Current Research on Eating Disorder
There are many modern studies on the problem of anorexia. Hunger motivates people to look for food and makes food more useful. Fasting activates the brain circuits that motivate food intake, which is a well-known fact. Kaye et al. (2020) found that hunger had no effect on the food reward system or food intake in persons with anorexia nervosa. The brain reactions of two groups of female volunteers were compared by the researchers. One set of women had AN but were in remission (RAN); the other did not have NA. The RAN group had lower neuronal activity for gustatory stimulation in the anterior insula, as well as a lower connection between the right anterior and middle dorsal insulas and the ventral caudal putamen. This study might pave the way for new therapies.
Studies aimed at identifying risk factors for anorexia are important. Bulik and colleagues released comprehensive genetic research on the condition in which they examined the genomes of about 17,000 people with anorexia and over 55,000 persons without it. There are eight risk loci for anorexia nervosa that predict various mental diseases, low BMI, and metabolic abnormalities. Watson et al. (2019) discovered a link between anorexia and the capacity to digest fats and carbohydrates. This supports the theory that metabolic issues in anorexia are caused by a biological predisposition. Psychedelic medicine studies, such as Chi and Gold (2020), are also underway for mescaline, psilocybin, nitrous oxide, and other substances to treat depression, PTSD, and anorexia. Blum et al. (2020) researched Reward Deficit Syndrome in order to explain some SUD patients as well as the brain circuits involved in natural pleasure and rapture in SUD. Some of these novel treatment approaches might be considered in the treatment of those suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other eating disorders.
The COVID-19 pandemic may also contribute to exacerbating the problem. Given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, it is important to understand how those with eating disorders are affected by the pandemic. A study by Kim et al. (2021) showed that individuals with ED and unsure ED had higher levels of psychological distress, perceived stress, and loneliness compared to those without ED. Considering that stress and trauma are among the factors that cause this disorder, the consequences of the pandemic can exacerbate the problem and lead to an increase in the number of patients with anorexia nervosa and complicate the treatment and recovery processes.
Treatment Options
Anorexia is often treated in a collaborative effort, including physicians, mental health experts, and dietitians. Continuous treatment and dietary education are critical for recovery. A patient in a dangerous condition may require treatment in a hospital emergency room for issues such as arrhythmia, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or a mental emergency. Medical difficulties, acute mental disorders, severe starvation, or a persistent unwillingness to eat may necessitate hospitalization. Because of the numerous difficulties connected with anorexia, it may be necessary to check vital signs, hydration and electrolyte levels, and other physical conditions on a regular basis. Anorexia patients may need to be fed through a nasogastric tube in extreme circumstances (Murray et al., 2019). A primary care physician or a mental health professional generally coordinates care with input from additional professionals.
A psychologist or other mental health expert helps establish behavioral methods to regain weight control. Family therapy is an evidence-based treatment for anorexic teenagers. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful when it seeks to normalize eating patterns and behaviors in order to sustain weight gain (Murphy et al., 2010). CBT for anorexia nervosa is intended to avoid recurrence once a patient gains weight during inpatient treatment. This treatment focuses on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It involves behavioral tactics such as establishing a regular eating pattern and systematic exposure to banned foods while also treating cognitive elements of the condition, such as motivation for change and disruption in form and weight experience. CBT for anorexia nervosa similarly stresses schema-level transformation and questions the seemingly inextricable link between personal identity and disease.
Conclusion
Eating disorders, and anorexia in particular, are a serious problem in today’s world and tend to be highly stigmatized. It is a serious condition that significantly affects health, emotions, and the ability to function in critical areas of life. Given the importance of mental health in all aspects of life, it is essential to maintain and develop psychological well-being through appropriate therapy. The number of studies devoted to this problem is growing, bringing closer more effective and efficient models of treatment and prevention of the problem at an early stage. However, the solution requires more global approaches that reduce the stigma and constant pressure associated with weight and body shape. In addition, more attention should be paid to mental health issues in order to improve the current level of the issue.
References
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Bulik, C. M., Flatt, R., Abbaspour, A., & Carroll, I. (2019). Reconceptualizing anorexia nervosa. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 73(9), 518-525. Web.
Chi, T., & Gold, J. A. (2020). A review of emerging therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 411, 116715. Web.
Dobrescu, S. R., Dinkler, L., Gillberg, C., Råstam, M., Gillberg, C., & Wentz, E. (2020). Anorexia nervosa: 30-year outcome. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 216(2), 97-104. Web.
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