Anorexia Flashcards
(18 cards)
1
Q
What is anorexia?
A
- an eating disorder
- person diets and becomes severely underweight
- voluntary starvation and emaciation
- emotion disorder
- focuses on food but is an attempt to deal with perfectionism and a means of control
2
Q
What are the biological causes of anorexia?
A
- genetic predisposition
- serotonin
3
Q
How is genetic predisposition a cause of anorexia?
A
- some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance
4
Q
How is serotonin a factor in the cause of anorexia?
A
- lack of serotonin leads to depression
- may play a role in anorexia
5
Q
What are the psychological causes of anorexia?
A
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- extreme perfectionism
- poor self image
6
Q
How is OCD a cause of anorexia?
A
- OCD personalities are more able to stick to a strict diet and refuse food
7
Q
How can extreme perfectionism cause anorexia?
A
- believe they are never thin enough
8
Q
What are the environmental causes of anorexia?
A
- society
- media
- success & self-worth
- peer pressure
9
Q
How is society a cause of anorexia?
A
- emphasise the desire of a thin body
10
Q
How is the media a cause of anorexia?
A
- constantly displays thin models/ actresses/ celebrities
11
Q
What are the characteristics of anorexia?
A
- weight loss
- distorted body image
- change in behaviour
12
Q
How is weight loss achieved in anorexia?
A
- vomiting
- laxatives
- diet pills
- starvation
- excessive exercise
- restricting food intake
13
Q
How does distorted body image play a role in anorexia?
A
- low self-esteem
- intense concern with others’ perceptions
- intense fear of weight gain
- can come from competitive/high achieving families
14
Q
How can anorexia cause people to develop changes in their behaviour?
A
- depression
- irritability
- lack of emotion
- not sociable
- denial of hunger
- obsession with food
- OCD
15
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of anorexia?
A
- excessive weight loss
- dry, brittle skin and hair
- hair loss
- abnormal blood count
- dizziness and fainting
- low blood pressure
- low heart rate
- fatigue
- reduction of bone density
- muscle loss and weakness
- lanugo (fine hair growth on the body)
- easily cold
- amenorrhea
16
Q
What is amenorrhea?
A
- missing at least 3 consecutive periods
- can lead to infertility and osteoporosis
- due to lack of oestrogen
17
Q
How can anorexia be treated?
A
- psychotherapy
- medication
- hospitalisation
- specialists
- increase food intake
- reduce exercise
18
Q
What kind of medication can be used to treat anorexia?
A
- antidepressants
- potassium
- iron supplements
