Introduction
The topic selected from the textbook is in chapter 8 eating disorders in abnormal psychology. Eating disorders are abnormal psychological disorders that are characterized by abnormal food attitudes that make an individual change their diet. Often people who suffer from eating disorders focus on their body shape and weight excessively making them adopt unhealthy food behaviors that pose as a risk to their health. In regards to the above information, the paper analyzes Attia and Walsh article on anorexia nervosa abnormal psychology eating disorder.
Main points from the article
The condition is quite common especially among young women in most industrialized nations where the cultural ideologies encourage them to be thin rather than fat. Fueled with this modern fixation of small bodies, the condition affects more women than men. According to the article, the highest prevalence of the disease is among teenage girls as up to 0.7 percent of young girls in these countries are affected. With early and appropriate interventions, most individuals suffering from the disease completely recover but in advance stages nearly 5 percent end up dying while up to 20 percent of individuals end up developing a chronic eating disorder. These individuals have an increased risk of bone fractures later on in life.
The condition was first discovered in 1689 by Richard Morton and despite its long discovery history, little is yet known about its etiology. Risk factors for the condition include anxiety symptoms, feeding problem, a perfectionist trait and weight loss obsession. Cultural factors of a community play a significant role in the presence of the disease in a region as it is more prevalent in one area than the other (Attia & Walsh, 2007). However, with proper and early diagnosis, complete recovery from the condition is possible.
Thoughts on the information presented
References
Attia, E., & Walsh, B. T. (2007). Anorexia nervosa. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(12), 1805. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629334
