Anorexia Nervosa

Riley Gardner

Disclaimer

• This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

Anorexia Nervosa

• What is Anorexia Nervosa?

• According to Mayo Clinic, Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight

Diagnostic criteria for anorexia

• Restricting food intake• Eating less than needed to maintain

body weight

• Fear of gaining weight• Intense fear of gaining weight

persistent behaviors that interferes with weight gain

• Problems with body image• Denial of having a severely low body

weight and having a distorted view of one’s body

How it began…

When I was ten, I was not concerned about my weight until I started to notice how skinny my friends were. These thoughts about being skinny like my friends soon became an obsession. I began to feel fat and overweight every time I ate and soon I just stopped eating.

Anorexia Nervosa

How I felt…At first, my intentions were good, I just wanted to look skinny and normal like everyone else around me; however, soon, becoming skinny became an obsession. Instead of dieting, I just stopped eating. No matter how many pounds I lost, I still looked fat. I was constantly worried about what others might think of me, and I also compared myself to the skinniest girl thinking that she must think I am huge.

How I felt…

My parents were the first to notice my destructive habits. They asked me if I needed help and begged me to tell them what was going on. I told them that I was fine and that I was just on a “diet.” As I began to lose weight, I didn’t feel any better, instead I felt like all my energy had been sapped out of my body. I felt depressed, and I refused to hang out with my friends because I feared about them judging me.

The Signs

It was not until my parents found me unconscious on the floor that they decided to take me to the hospital. Because I was malnourished and weak, I ended up fainting.

Noticing

• After noticing the symptoms, my mother had me go get treated

Symptoms

• Extreme weight loss

• Thin appearance

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Dehydration

• Low blood pressure

• Intolerance to cold

• Irregular heart rhythms

• Absence of menstruation

• Hair that thins, breaks or falls out

• Osteoporosis

• Dry of yellow skin

• Constipation

Symptoms

Tests and Diagnosis

• Tests and diagnosis must be conducted in order to rule out any other medical causes of the weight loss and other related illnesses or complications

Tests and Diagnosis

• Physical exam• Measuring

height, weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and etc.

• Lab Tests • Complete blood

count, urinalysis and etc.

Tests and Diagnosis

• Psychological evaluation• Completion o

psychological self-assessment questionnaire and sessions with doctor

• Other studies• X-rays,

electrocardiograms, and etc.

Treatment

• Medical treatment• Medical treatment

was necessary after being diagnosed with heart problems that were caused by anorexia

• Appointments with the doctor were scheduled frequently in order to check my weight and health

• Nutritional counseling• I had a registered

dietician help me gain weight in a healthy way without overwhelming my body

• I was taught healthy eating patterns and gained understanding about nutrition

Treatment

Medical treatmentNutritional counseling

Treatment

• The main reason that caused me to become anorexic was they way I evaluated myself and compared myself with others

• Therapy• Talking with a psychologist help me

cope with the emotional reasons behind my illness• Helped me change the way I thought

about myself and encouraged me to change my life

Treatment

Bibliography• http://fyinutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/7627630.jpg

• http://www.crystalinks.com/anorexia2.jpg

• http://www.psychguides.com/guides/using-amerihealth-for-anorexia-treatment/

• http://centralhealthclinic.com/anorexia-nervosa-treatment-with-therapy-phobic-desensitization-and-liquid-diet/

• http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty_areas/eating_disorders/

• http://www.understandinganorexia.com/anorexia-treatment/

• http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Anorexia-nervosa.html

• https://www.google.com/search?q=getting+help+for+anorexia+nervosa&es

Bibliography

• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/definition/con-20033002

• http://prixray.com/Portals/0/Chest%20X-Ray%20Image.jpg

• http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1402083/images/o-BLOOD-TEST-facebook.jpg

• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033002