Anorexia Nervosa: Risks and Treatment Options
Department of Psychology, Grand Canyon University
PSY: 532
, Anorexia Nervosa: Risks and Treatment Options
Anorexia Nervosa is a very generally known eating disorder. Even though anorexia is
well known, it is one of the least perceived eating disorders. Anorexia is a mental illness that
affects females and males who are within healthy weight ranges but believe and fear they are
overweight (Sarafino& Smith, 2017). This disorder surrounds the lack or loss of appetite for food
due to a distorted body image. Anorexia is extremely difficult for patients to recover from
because it is highly addictive (Sarafino& Smith, 2017). When not treated promptly and properly,
anorexia can cost an individual her or his life.
Precursors and Risk Factors
There are multiple precursors to anorexia nervosa. One of the precursors is disordered
eating habits. Disordered eating can include an inflexible diet and exercise routine, compulsive
eating, food restriction, weight loss supplement use, and many other unhealthy behaviors (Seitz,
2018). These behaviors lead to an eating disorder when they become a complex mental illness
with biological elements that can be perilous (Seitz, 2018).These disordered eating habits are
important for family and friends to notice and watch in their loved ones in an attempt to prevent
the occurrence of an eating disorder.
Another factor that could lead someone to develop anorexia nervosa is abuse (Cowden,
2020). Physical and emotional abuse can both lead to a person becoming anorexic. The specific
type of abuse that plays the biggest role in influencing is childhood sexual abuse (Cowden,
2020). Those who suffer from childhood abuse often develop a multitude of psychological issues
which in some cases lead to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. It is important for
families to take proper care of their children to prevent the development of future psychological
disorders.
Department of Psychology, Grand Canyon University
PSY: 532
, Anorexia Nervosa: Risks and Treatment Options
Anorexia Nervosa is a very generally known eating disorder. Even though anorexia is
well known, it is one of the least perceived eating disorders. Anorexia is a mental illness that
affects females and males who are within healthy weight ranges but believe and fear they are
overweight (Sarafino& Smith, 2017). This disorder surrounds the lack or loss of appetite for food
due to a distorted body image. Anorexia is extremely difficult for patients to recover from
because it is highly addictive (Sarafino& Smith, 2017). When not treated promptly and properly,
anorexia can cost an individual her or his life.
Precursors and Risk Factors
There are multiple precursors to anorexia nervosa. One of the precursors is disordered
eating habits. Disordered eating can include an inflexible diet and exercise routine, compulsive
eating, food restriction, weight loss supplement use, and many other unhealthy behaviors (Seitz,
2018). These behaviors lead to an eating disorder when they become a complex mental illness
with biological elements that can be perilous (Seitz, 2018).These disordered eating habits are
important for family and friends to notice and watch in their loved ones in an attempt to prevent
the occurrence of an eating disorder.
Another factor that could lead someone to develop anorexia nervosa is abuse (Cowden,
2020). Physical and emotional abuse can both lead to a person becoming anorexic. The specific
type of abuse that plays the biggest role in influencing is childhood sexual abuse (Cowden,
2020). Those who suffer from childhood abuse often develop a multitude of psychological issues
which in some cases lead to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. It is important for
families to take proper care of their children to prevent the development of future psychological
disorders.
