Anorexia Nervosa Condition Analysis

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Nature of Condition:

Anorexia Nervosa is an Eating Disorder and physiological illness characterised by low body weight and disturbed body image. Including the obsessive fear of gaining weight and negative self-perceived weight and/or shape, for most manifested in a way of food deprivation and heightened levels of exercise. It is a very serious condition and is potentially life-threatening. Anorexia can be recognised in two sub-categories:

Restricting type - This is the most common type, recognised as a person who severely restricts the type of and amount of food intake (e.g. restricting entire food groups/types, counting and maintaining a low calorie count, skipping meals, obsessive rules and rigid thinking), these restricting behaviors and
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For some people restricting food and losing weight can be a way to help themselves feel more control in situations where they are otherwise not. Their body image is often definitive of their self-worth. In some conditions, Anorexia Nervosa is a way people can express confusing emotions e.g. stress, anxiety, depression and pain.

There are many drastic and subtle physical signs and effects on the body caused by Anorexia Nervosa, people may experience effects on specific parts of the body e.g. muscle loss, weakness, fatigue, anemia, infertility, anxiety, depression, mood swings, osteopenia, intolerance to cold, bloating, kidney failure or even heart failure.

Causes of Condition:

Anorexia Nervosa, like all eating disorders, can develop at any age in both male and females, however usually develops during adolescence. Although, there are risk factors (biological, cultural or psychological) that increase the probability of developing Anorexia and they differ from person to
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To avoid serious risks and complications it is important to get treatment as early on as possible although many suffering Anorexia may avoid help and/or treatment (this may result in compulsory treatment otherwise known as sectioning). Treating Anorexia in Adults involves talking therapy, the aim is to find the cause of the patient's condition and assist in feeling more comfortable with food and weight gain.

Therapy that those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa may be required to partake in involve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBD), Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), Specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM), Focal psychodynamic therapy and diet advice, these sessions usually last about 40 weeks.

Unlike Adults children and adolescents are usually suggested family therapy, which explores how the Anorexia started and how the family is able to support the individual. Adolescent-focused psychotherapy is a common treatment for children, the therapist is able to help the individual cope with their fear of weight-gain, causes of their condition, help them discover ho their condition is affecting their body, how they can become healthy and diet advice. Suffering individuals may also be advised