Cause Of Anorexia Nervosa In The Film Dying To Be Thin

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The documentary Dying to be Thin outlines anorexia nervosa and several of the factors that contribute to its causes. First, biologically, the documentary mentions that doctors have completed brain scans on recovering anorexics to identify any abnormalities in the brain. Through these studies, they have found that there are higher levels of the hormone, serotonin, in their brain; serotonin regulates mood and appetite. Individuals with anorexia may starve themselves to lower the serotonin levels and lower their anxiety, but when they do this, the brain adjusts to the lower levels of serotonin and the process starts all over again. Next, a psychological factor that contributes to the causes of anorexia is a need for control. Erika Goodman, a