Dying for Control
Weight Control, Eating Disorders Affect Many SLCC Students
Hope Rowe
Issue date: 10/1/02 Section: News
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The Latin term anorexia nervosa tends to be misleading; it implies there is a lack of appetite due to some nervous origin. In fact, it is a deliberate suppression of the appetite in order to lose weight or prevent gaining weight. The anorexic patient has an intense fear of being "fat" even when emaciated.
The anorexic patient may abuse diet pills to help suppress the appetite. These pills may contain ephedrine, an unregulated Chinese herb which has been linked directly to many deaths from heart attacks, seizures and strokes. The FDA warns these products should never be used in excessive amounts or for longer then one week. Excessive exercising, purging and laxative abuse are also common methods to burn calories or prevent food absorption in order to avoid gaining weight.
Currently, there are many theories as to what causes this deadly eating disorder. There is a psychodynamic theory stating the anorexic patient is afraid of maturation and the bodily developments coming with it. Emaciating the body may be a way to try to remain physically and mentally childlike and lead an asexual life.
The learning theory states an anorexic individual may learn to embrace a weight phobia because of past rewards for losing weight. When the anorexic loses weight, obesity is avoided and as a result he or she may concurrently receive a lot of attention; particularly from the parents. This theory is linked to the systems theory, which states anorexia may be a symptom of dysfunctional family interactions.
Other theories suggest the causes of anorexia are biological. These theories contradict the popular belief which implies anorexics are trying to obtain the unrealistic, ideal body image our society and media have created. "In America there is a false conception of the female form that is repeated over and over in thousands of ways. Millions of people go from these false conceptions to a struggle with eating disorders, which can be extremely dangerous, cause unbelievable suffering for their families and, in the worst case scenarios, result in death," says Vivian Hanson Meehan founder of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).
