HCA240 Mental illness assignment

HCA240 Mental illness assignment

There are different main characteristics for the mental illness of anorexianervosa. This mental illness has to do with a persons eating habit and is classified as anextreme illness. Anorexia nervosa is a way a person deals with emotional stress.

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Thismay happen sometimes because of how a person feels about their appearance, so theyavoid food, they feel if they eat food then the weight it gained immediately. When aperson chooses not to eat willingly, this means they will not consume the nourishmentneeded to keep his or her body at a minimum weight that is considered average for his or her height and age.

Another characteristic of anorexia nervosa is distorted self-perception which has to deal with the bodies shape and/or size and is also a fear forgaining weight (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). When diagnosing anorexia nervosa it is based on four categories that is outlinedin the Statistical and Diagnostic Manual for Mental Disorder and this also depends onwhat stage the person is in.

In Criteria A deals with the patients that refuse to stay at anormal weight, this happens by not keeping his or her weight at 85% or at least equal tothe expected weight for his or her height and age. In Criteria B it deals with a personsfear of abnormal weight gain even if the persons underweight.

Any person that deniesthat they (he or she) has anorexia nervosa, have a distorted perception of theirappearance or weight, and/or demonstrates an obsession about their apperance orweight, then the person has met the standards for criteria

C. However, when a femalemisses three menstrual cycles because of behavior shown in Criterias A through C, thenthis means she has met the fourth and last criteria which is Criteria D for anorexianervosa (Gentile, 2010).

There are also two sub-types of anorexia that exist. One sub type is restrictiveanorexics and binge-eating/purging; restrictive anorexics will limit the nutritional intakeand will not use enemas, diuretics, and laxatives. This type of anorexics does not bingeor purge like the other type just to controll their weight. “Binge eating/purging” is themain term that is used (Gentile, 2010). There have been studies that shows anorexia nervosa being prevalent since theearly 1903s.

It was then recorded by a man named Pierre Janet used a woman named Nadia as an example, who only wanted to eat and drink soup, tea, and vinegar to stopthe slightest weight gain. She only would read about food and this satisfied her. Hefigured that this condition has to deal with delusions, which in her mind she wouldbecome overweight like her mother was (Habermas, 2005).

This was the beginning toan ongoing increase for those who suffer from anorexia nervosa. There was another study that suggest three cases in the years 1958 through 1962,1968 through 1972, and 1978 through 1982 these were to be analyzed, so that therewould be a much better knowledge for the disease. These years have been chosenbecause the numbers have increased over four times due to lack of education from thecauses and effects (Habermas, 2005).

There are two neurotransmitters affected from anorexia nervosa: Serotonin andDopamine. The first one (Sertonin) is responsible for an individuals temperature, sleep,sexual reactions, locomotive, feelings and emotions.

The second one (Dopamine) isresponsible for the thought process as well as regulating behavior and moods ( EatingDisorder 1996-2011) These effects from anorexia nervosa should most definiatlybe taken veryserioulsy.

There are so many negative effects like bloating, osteoporosis, malnutrition,swelling, low blood pressure, and dehydration. Due to the metabolism being affected itcan lead to cardiac arrest or even death ( Eating Disorder 1996-2011).

This is not just a physical and psychologicial worry, it is a medical worry aswell. Some symtoms associated with anorexia nervosa can be pain, vomiting, coldfeeling, constipation, abdominal pains, and low energy. When you start to see thesesymtoms then weight loss will take over ( Anorexia Nervosa, 2011).
5. MENTAL ILLNESS 1 There are other disorders that can cause anorexia nervosa to be ruled out as aillness because if these being related to a mental illness such as obsessive-compulsivedisorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and social phobia these all share the samediagnosis (Anorexia Nervosa 2011).

At first people dealt with anorexia nervosa using psychotherapy verses now anddays where you have different ways to deal with it. There is still psychotherapy, familyor grroup therapy, and with these therapies there is medication given (antidepressants)to help with the process (Diseases & Conditions, 1995-2011). In this treatment processthey will also teach their patients the benefits of food as well encourage them to eathealthy and properly.

There are also cases in which people suffer from psychosis, suicidal attacks, anddepression; in this case it does not only affect patients, but the people around (Diseases& Conditions, 1995-2011). There are also some severe cases as to which hospitalizationconfinement is needed because they are only 60% of their ideal and normal bodyweight for their age and height.

There is also something else that can help affect a patients conditioning fromimproving or worsening; If the people around knows the person and knows that thisperson is suffering from this mental illness, then they can help by encouraging thepatient to eat and live a long healthy life.

If denial is present it makes it extra harder onthe patient to help him or herself when dealing with anorexia nervosa (AnorexiaNervosa, 2011) Having people around you who are willing to stick around and help youin your time of need makes your road to recovery easier, not 100 %, but maybe 50% of
6. MENTAL ILLNESS 2it.

A support system is always needed when handling these types of situations, itsalmost like a person being on drugs, you do not need no one around you who is goingto judge you in anyway because that only makes your struggle even harder.

When youhandle these situations alone it makes it hard to deal with because sometimes you feellike whats the point in seeking help if no one around will take the time out to reallycare about your feelings and your health.

When you face this mental illness alone youhave to be strong, being strong is the only way you are going to see your way throughit.

Since this disease is well known, its treated as a very serious illness that needsto be taken care of. Even though studies have been made, this disease has becomeworse