The term anorexia comes from a Greek word which means a loss of appetite. It may be characterized by a lessened sensation of appetite, or an active suppression brought about by a psychological disease developed by the individual.
The Difference Between The Two
There is a big difference in using the term anorexia and anorexia nervosa. People have commonly fallen to associate the two as being the same. Though both terms would denote the loss of appetite of a person, resulting to undernourishment and perhaps death from hunger if left untreated, the term anorexia mainly denotes the physical incapability to detect hunger, while the term anorexia nervosa pertains to a psychological state wherein the individual distorts the view on appetite and proper eating habits to extreme measures of food deprivation.
Physically Induced Anorexia
The loss of appetite in this manner may be caused by several factors such as pathogenic attacks, drug alterations in body system feedbacks, and other clinical manifestations. The person may feel the hunger signaled by the brain, but other physiological aspects such as weakness, stress, altered physical state and capabilities, or effects of drug interactions may prohibit the person from participating from practicing proper eating activities.
For instance, those who have a chronic disease such as diabetes and chronic renal failure may have anorexic effects due to the altered state of systemic and digestive processes brought about by the different drugs administered, which may increase nausea and pain. On a similar note, chemotherapy for patients with severe diseases such as AIDS or Cancer may feel the general weakness and discomfort that may hinder them from eating.
Usually, these individuals would rather rest and stay in bed sleeping rather than engage in activities such as eating. Strength would be tried to be preserved this way. For this reason, intravenous feeding and nutrition is needed to aid in the nutritional supplementation of the body's requirements to sustain considerable functions.
The Psychological Anorexia
There is also a type of anorexia brought about by the individual's psychological alteration of seeking self esteem. The term anorexia nervosa pertains to a person resorting to starving one's self just in order to remain thin and somewhat desirable to the eyes of society. There is this created excessive fear of eating as well as gaining some weight from eating.
In this regard, the whole concept of maintenance and proper nutrition is pushed to the limit of deprivation so as not to allow any chances of letting too much food be taken in. The cemented beliefs, practices, peer pressure, media, and the overall look of society frowning upon fat people cause these individuals to resort to an extreme form of self control.
Associated with this psychological disease is a direct link to having a strong willed personality, backed up with the preemptive depression upon failure.
Common Risks
Fixation with keeping a thin figure as the only acceptable course of action for peace of mind cause other physiological problems such as undernourishment, decreased blood flow throughout the body systems, extreme weight loss, dehydration, constipation, and a lot more abnormalities.
The risks are similar to that with anorexia itself, but those risks related from anorexia nervosa are harder to control and predict as the individual's mindset and fixation on things present an active participation of the mind and body. Excessive and those cases which are not addressed with proper intervention and maintenance often lead to death.
Rising Trend Due To Media
The occurrence of anorexia nervosa may be attributed to the social norms of society in which all of us individuals try to belong in. As a social creature, people are said to participate and try to fit in society to survive, following rules and views commonly practiced within the social construct. Those who have a different perspective may be regarded as unpleasant, unacceptable, or even as a taboo.
In this regard, the society, specifically the media has created a social view that being thin is what is beautiful and utterly acceptable. Popularity and acceptance is linked with having a thin body. From models to advertising, the models employed have one thing in common which is being thin.
Depictions of ridicule and disgust to those who do not have the "perfect" body have been shown on television, movies, or even other forms of media. This is one angle which psychologists view as the main culprit in causing a high rate of this disease.
Culture And Society
Another view by those who do not necessarily promote the idea of media to anorexia nervosa would rather claim that culture and the collective view of society are the main determinants of the occurrence of anorexia nervosa. There are certain societies and culture which do not promote thinness as what would define beautiful. The Victorian society, for example abhors women on being too thin as it would not accentuate the voluptuousness and wealth of a woman, especially when wearing gowns. Women in their culture have preference on a rather plump physique.
It is also asserted that there were no cases of anorexia nervosa diagnosed during that time, and that the disease became only evident and widespread during the modern age of society.
The Difference Between The Two
There is a big difference in using the term anorexia and anorexia nervosa. People have commonly fallen to associate the two as being the same. Though both terms would denote the loss of appetite of a person, resulting to undernourishment and perhaps death from hunger if left untreated, the term anorexia mainly denotes the physical incapability to detect hunger, while the term anorexia nervosa pertains to a psychological state wherein the individual distorts the view on appetite and proper eating habits to extreme measures of food deprivation.
Physically Induced Anorexia
The loss of appetite in this manner may be caused by several factors such as pathogenic attacks, drug alterations in body system feedbacks, and other clinical manifestations. The person may feel the hunger signaled by the brain, but other physiological aspects such as weakness, stress, altered physical state and capabilities, or effects of drug interactions may prohibit the person from participating from practicing proper eating activities.
For instance, those who have a chronic disease such as diabetes and chronic renal failure may have anorexic effects due to the altered state of systemic and digestive processes brought about by the different drugs administered, which may increase nausea and pain. On a similar note, chemotherapy for patients with severe diseases such as AIDS or Cancer may feel the general weakness and discomfort that may hinder them from eating.
Usually, these individuals would rather rest and stay in bed sleeping rather than engage in activities such as eating. Strength would be tried to be preserved this way. For this reason, intravenous feeding and nutrition is needed to aid in the nutritional supplementation of the body's requirements to sustain considerable functions.
The Psychological Anorexia
There is also a type of anorexia brought about by the individual's psychological alteration of seeking self esteem. The term anorexia nervosa pertains to a person resorting to starving one's self just in order to remain thin and somewhat desirable to the eyes of society. There is this created excessive fear of eating as well as gaining some weight from eating.
In this regard, the whole concept of maintenance and proper nutrition is pushed to the limit of deprivation so as not to allow any chances of letting too much food be taken in. The cemented beliefs, practices, peer pressure, media, and the overall look of society frowning upon fat people cause these individuals to resort to an extreme form of self control.
Associated with this psychological disease is a direct link to having a strong willed personality, backed up with the preemptive depression upon failure.
Common Risks
Fixation with keeping a thin figure as the only acceptable course of action for peace of mind cause other physiological problems such as undernourishment, decreased blood flow throughout the body systems, extreme weight loss, dehydration, constipation, and a lot more abnormalities.
The risks are similar to that with anorexia itself, but those risks related from anorexia nervosa are harder to control and predict as the individual's mindset and fixation on things present an active participation of the mind and body. Excessive and those cases which are not addressed with proper intervention and maintenance often lead to death.
Rising Trend Due To Media
The occurrence of anorexia nervosa may be attributed to the social norms of society in which all of us individuals try to belong in. As a social creature, people are said to participate and try to fit in society to survive, following rules and views commonly practiced within the social construct. Those who have a different perspective may be regarded as unpleasant, unacceptable, or even as a taboo.
In this regard, the society, specifically the media has created a social view that being thin is what is beautiful and utterly acceptable. Popularity and acceptance is linked with having a thin body. From models to advertising, the models employed have one thing in common which is being thin.
Depictions of ridicule and disgust to those who do not have the "perfect" body have been shown on television, movies, or even other forms of media. This is one angle which psychologists view as the main culprit in causing a high rate of this disease.
Culture And Society
Another view by those who do not necessarily promote the idea of media to anorexia nervosa would rather claim that culture and the collective view of society are the main determinants of the occurrence of anorexia nervosa. There are certain societies and culture which do not promote thinness as what would define beautiful. The Victorian society, for example abhors women on being too thin as it would not accentuate the voluptuousness and wealth of a woman, especially when wearing gowns. Women in their culture have preference on a rather plump physique.
It is also asserted that there were no cases of anorexia nervosa diagnosed during that time, and that the disease became only evident and widespread during the modern age of society.
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