Article Review-Anorexia nervosa: Patient and Family-Centered Care
Summary
The article by Ahmann, (2011), reviews the provision of a family-centered approach to nursing care of anorexic patients. Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight (Medline, 2012). Ahmann, (2011), emphasizes that anorexia is responsible for the death of at least 10% of its patients. The same author clarifies that anorexia is not a choice made by the patient, but is actually a mental condition. Anorexia is typically a disease which is highly prevalent among adolescent females although males may also be affected (Stoppler, 2011). The patient uses weight loss as a way to exercise some form of control over the body and this therefore develops into an obsession (Medline, 2012). Research studies have demonstrated the predisposition of the brain to developing anorexia (Ahmann, 2011). This has been proven by: abnormalities in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI), PET (Positron Emmission Tornography) scans; and characteristic neurotransmitter profiles (Ahmann, 2011).
These research findings of abnormalities in scans and the specific profiles are exclusively found in anorexic patients and are absent in patients suffering from starvation from other causes. As a result, the patient’s ability to rationalize on what she is doing is impaired, and thus cannot understand the extent of the disease and the harm it causes. The article also disproves the long-held notion that a poor family environment contributes to the development of anorexia (Ahmann, 2011). It absolves parents from being blamed by health professionals for the unfortunate state of their anorexic children. The parents need support and education from hospital staff and nurses where they are taught to be empathetic yet firm to assist the patient to follow the prescribed eating regimen. The article also proposes that the medical fraternity engages the parents as partners in the treatment and management of the disease, so that a favorable outcome can be achieved (Ahmann, 2011).
As a psychiatric nurse, I have found his article to be highly enlightening. I agree with the author that anorexia has long been perceived as a ‘disease of choice’ where the patient makes a conscious choice not to feed. Studies have proven that anorexia is caused by a brain mental disorder by tests which have detected characteristic abnormalities in brain function of anorexic patients. This proves that the patient is not intentionally causing her own disease state as I had previously thought. In addition, I usually assumed that anorexics came from a family which was dysfunctional which fostered the development of the disease. Again, this has been dispelled by discovery of the neurological nature of the disease (Ahmann, 2011).
The article has greatly encouraged early intervention in the treatment of the disease and the involvement of parents as partners in treatment. I will seek to show parents the value of sympathizing but not colluding with anorexic patients as the patients are unable to employ logic. I will also take time to study the Maudsley Method recommended by Ahmann, (2011), and strive to use it. This method works in three phases which involve: weight restoration; giving the adolescent eating control; and fostering a healthy identity (Ahmann, 2011). In the treatment of anorexia nervosa, Ahmann (2011) has influenced my practice because I will be able to provide better care by integrating the family into treatment and advocating for the Maudsley Method.
References
Medline Plus, (2012). Anorexia nervosa. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000362.htm
Silber, T. (2011). Anorexia Nervosa: Patient and Family-Centered Care. Pediatric Nursing, 37(6), 331-333.
Stoppler M. (2011). Anorexia nervosa. Available at http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm
