Eating Disorders - Essay
Eating Disorders
Social Work Fundamentals
Written 6/16/2022
Three primary eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (Zastrow,2019). Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder involving consuming excessive amounts of food in a fixed amount of time. The amount of food that is consumed is greater than one normally would consume in the same setting. Bing eating sometimes can be centered around special events such as a holiday or celebration (i.e. Thanksgiving or birthday party). Episodes are not restricted to one setting, however. An episode may begin in an area such as a restaurant, but upon returning home the individual continues to consume food even though experiencing feelings of “fullness. Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves (Zastrow,2019). Anorexia usually begins in young people around the time of puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually below the person’s normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating. Bulimia disorder is consuming a large quantity of food in a short period, feelings of guilt or shame are often associated (Zastrow,2019). People with this condition take steps to avoid weight gains, such as vomiting (purging) and excessive exercise.
Eating disorders are caused by a combination of psychological, personal, and social factors (Zastrow, 2019). Culture places an emphasis on thinness, especially thinness linked to success (eating disorders: Cultural and Social Factors, n.d.). Although we can factor in peers, parents, and partners mass media is the most influential and persuasive when it comes to eating disorders. The body image concept involves feelings, attitude, and perception that people have about their own body and the undeniable portion of media content consumed by individuals. Culture sends an unhealthy message about beauty, body size, food, weight control and gender roles of women and girls men and boys.
Different types of eating disorders have different symptoms, but each condition involves an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating, and some involve an extreme focus on mental illness. Mental and behavioral signs may include dramatic weight loss, concern about eating in public, and preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, or dieting. Physical signs may include stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal symptoms, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and fainting. Eating disorders affect five million people in the world (Greene, 2016).
In the film “Thin” Polly a patient at The Renfrew inpatient program for women suffering from eating disorders (Greene, 2016) was emitted for a suicide attempt over two pieces of pizza (Greene, 2016). Polly is currently struggling with purging. She recalls that dieting was always a part of her life, and it was taught from her family. At 11 years old she was already counting calories and aware of her weight. While spending her time at the program she showed progress and reached a level three and was looking to be released to go home. She expressed not feeling ready to go home or stay for extended care. Polly’s strength is admitting to not being ready to go home and still being motivated to get better. Part of Polly’s improvement will require her conquering her anxiety of not being able to sustain her disorder outside of the program and to adapt to change. The support of her family members helps her to continue to receive care and treatment for and extended week (Zastrow,2019). Due to Polly breaking rules at the treatment facility she was ultimately discharged. Continued therapy would be best for Polly when she returns home to help with the transition of being discharged and her eating disorder. Polly’s feelings seem to be the main factor in her disorder. Polly continues to struggle with purging and weight loss yet continues her education and a job in photography (Greene, 2016).
References
Zastrow, C. (2019). Empowerment series: Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th edition). Cengage Learning.
Greenfield, L. (2016, November 14). Thin [Documentary]. HBO. https://youtu.be/gsqWHMeSIZQ
Eating Disorders: Cultural and Social Factors. (n.d.). Myhealth.alberta.ca. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw47995