Assignment on: Understanding to Psychology

COURSE CODE: GEN 205 Section: 02

Topic: Eating disorder

Submitted To: Dr. Parveen Huque Lecturer Department of Social Science West University

Submitted By: Name: Md. Taijul Islam Department of Business Administration East West University

Date of Submission: 16 April, 2012

Introduction:

Eating disorders are a group of serious conditions in which we are so preoccupied with food and weight that we can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders can cause serious physical problems and, at their most severe, can even be life-threatening. Most people with eating disorders are females, but males can also have eating disorders. An exception is binge-eating disorder, which appears to affect almost as many males as females. Treatments for eating disorders usually involve psychotherapy, nutrition education, family counseling, medications and hospitalization.

Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by fear of being overweight and gaining weight, which often results in severe restriction of food intake and at times the use of other weight-loss strategies including excessive exercise, purging behaviors and use of diet pills. Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa typically have a distorted view of their bodies, such that they view themselves as overweight, despite the fact that they are extremely underweight. Oftentimes, girls and women with Anorexia Nervosa stop menstruating as a result of the toll starvation takes on the body.

Symptoms
Eating disorders symptoms vary with the particular type of eating disorder. Anorexia signs and symptoms may include: Refusal to eat and denial of hunger An intense fear of gaining weight A negative or distorted self-image Excessive exercise Flat mood or lack of emotion Irritability Fear of eating in public Preoccupation with food Social withdrawal Thin appearance Trouble sleeping Soft, downy hair present on the body (lanugo) Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea) Constipation Abdominal pain Dry skin Frequently being cold Irregular heart rhythms Low blood pressure Dehydration

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa involves a pattern of binge eating followed by use of a method to compensate for eating a large quantity of food. For example, some individuals may purge after they binge eat, exercise excessively, take laxatives or diuretics. Binging is defined as eating a large quantity of food in a short period of time during which a feeling of loss of control is present. While traditionally, binging is defined in this way, some individuals may experience this sense of being unable to control their eating even when the quantity is not considered objectively large. When people have bulimia, they have episodes of bingeing and purging. During these episodes, people typically eat a large amount of food in a short duration and then try to rid themselves of the extra calories through vomiting or excessive exercise. They may be at a normal weight or even a bit overweight.

Symptoms
Bulimia signs and symptoms may include: Eating until the point of discomfort or pain, often with high-fat or sweet foods Self-induced vomiting Laxative use Excessive exercise An unhealthy focus on body shape and weight A distorted, excessively negative body image Low self-esteem Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals A feeling that you can't control your eating behavior Abnormal bowel functioning Damaged teeth and gums Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks Sores in the throat and mouth Dehydration Irregular heartbeat Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea) Constant dieting or fasting Possibly, drug or alcohol abuse

Causes of eating disorder

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with other mental illnesses, there may be many causes. However, it is believed to be due to a combination of biological, psychological and/or environmental abnormalities. Many people with eating disorders suffer also from body dysmorphic disorder, altering the way a person sees themself. There are also many other possibilities such as environmental, social and interpersonal issues that could promote and sustain this illness

Biology
There may be genes that make certain people more vulnerable to developing eating disorders. People with first degree relatives siblings or parents with an eating disorder may be more likely to develop an eating disorder, too, suggesting a possible genetic link. In addition, there's some evidence that serotonin, a naturally occurring brain chemical, may influence eating behaviors.

Psychological and emotional health

People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior and troubled relationships.

Society
The modern Western cultural environment often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin in popular culture. Peer pressure and what people see in the media may fuel this desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Treatments of eating disorder

Eating disorder treatment depends on particular disorder and symptoms. It may include psychological counseling (psychotherapy), nutrition education or medications such as antidepressants. Eating disorder treatment also involves addressing other health problems caused by an eating disorder, which can be serious or even life-threatening if they go untreated for long enough. If an eating disorder doesn't improve with standard treatment or causes health problems, hospitalization or an inpatient program may be necessary. Having an organized approach to eating disorder treatment can help manage symptoms, regain a healthy weight, and maintain your physical and mental health.

Psychological counseling
Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) is generally the most important eating disorder treatment. It involves seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health counselor on a regular basis. Counseling may last from a few months to years. A number of different methods of counseling are used to treat eating disorders. They include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of counseling is a short-term, structured treatment that helps you address the thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to eating disorder. It can help you learn to recognize and change distorted thoughts that lead to eating disorder behaviors. Interpersonal psychotherapy: Another short-term treatment, interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on resolving relationship issues that contribute to eating disorder.

This type of treatment may be especially helpful if you have depression along with an eating disorder. Family-based therapy: With family-based therapy, family members attend counseling sessions. This type of therapy can be especially useful for parents learning how to help a teen with an eating disorder. Group cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of treatment involves meeting with a psychologist or other mental health provider along with others who are diagnosed with an eating disorder. It can help to address thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to eating disorder, learn skills to manage eating disorder symptoms, and regain healthy eating patterns.

Treatment may involve a combination of types of counseling. Psychologist or counselor may ask to do homework, such as keep a food journal to review in counseling sessions, and identify triggers that cause to binge, purge or do other unhealthy eating behavior.

Nutrition education
Dietitians and other professionals involved in treatment can help better understand eating disorder and help to develop a plan to maintain healthy eating habits. Goals of nutrition education generally include:

Education about how nutrition affects body Meal planning Establishing regular eating patterns generally, three meals a day with regular snacks Taking steps to avoid dieting

Nutrition education may involve cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help to recognize faulty beliefs and thought patterns and understand how eating disorder causes nutrition issues and physical problems.

Medications for eating disorders

Medications may help to follow treatment plan. They're most effective when combined with psychological counseling. Antidepressants are the most common medications used to treat eating disorders, but depending on the situation, other medications are sometimes prescribed. Taking an antidepressant may be especially helpful if someone has bulimia nervosa or binge- eating disorder in that it can help reduce symptoms of binge eating and vomiting. Antidepressants can be helpful to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety or obsessive- compulsive disorder, which frequently occur along with eating disorders. They may also need to take medications for physical health problems caused by eating disorder. As part of eating disorder treatment are several types of therapy options that address various aspects of the disease. These therapies can be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for recovery from an eating disorder.

Major Types of Therapies for Eating Disorders

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Medical Nutrition Therapy Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Art Therapy Dance Therapy Equine Therapy Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) Family Therapy Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) The Maudsley Method Medical Nutrition Therapy

When considering which therapies to include as part of a treatment plan for an eating disorder, it is important to work with a health professional to determine what problems or underlying issues are priority in addressing, the desires and strengths of the individual participating in the treatment, and the level of eating disorder treatment needed. Understanding these various aspects can be helpful in establishing which therapies can be included in the treatment plan. It is also useful to include the guidance and input of a health professional to help in deciding what therapies should be chosen.

Hospitalization
If someone has serious health problems or if they have anorexia and refuse to eat or gain weight, doctor may recommend hospitalization. Hospitalization may be on a medical or psychiatric ward. Some clinics specialize in treating people with eating disorders. Some may offer day programs, rather than full hospitalization. Specialized eating disorder programs may offer more intensive treatment over longer periods of time.

Conclusion
As we see that eating disorder is a serious problem, if someone has this disease he or she should contact with psychologist and medicine doctor.it is much better if use both psychological medical treatments because single treatment may not solve the problem. If any eating disorders symptom is seen then it is better immediately take preventive measures. If problem is serious, patient can be hospitalized.

References
1. http://www.psychology.sdsu.edu/advising/counseling%20psycholoy.htm 2. http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologycareerprofiles/p/counseling-psychology.htm 3. http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/what-do-psychologists-do/areas/counselling.cfm 4. Understanding Psychology. ( Robert S.Feldman seventh edition)