Overlooked Predispositions to Anorexia and Improving Treatment

Abstract

Every year, more people are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (anorexia), yet there is a lack of public awareness for the factors behind this psychological disorder (Holcombe; ​​“What Is Anorexia: Symptoms, Complications and Causes.”). Neurobiological-based studies on patients with anorexia depict the chemical imbalances and cognitive functioning abnormalities contributing to the emergence of the eating disorder (Frank et al.; Lozano-Serra et al.). This review paper analyzes the psychopathology of anorexia relating to the formation and progression of the illness as well as discussing current treatment approaches. The brain-based anatomy of anorexia will be exemplified through a review of controlled experiments using brain scans, notably positron emission tomography (PET) technology. Qualitative data referring to the symptoms of anorexia and the thoughts and emotions that may accompany the disorder will be illustrated through the inclusion of podcasts hosted by young women who have had anorexia and peer-reviewed articles that include psychiatric evaluations for anorexia, interviews with patients, and longitudinal studies of patients throughout recovery. Treatment for anorexia is also reviewed. The unpredictability surrounding the intensity of the eating disorder through its development makes anorexia difficult to treat. Anorexia manifests differently in each patient, so a universal approach to treatment is not effective in curing a patient’s disorder (Kenny et al.). Furthermore, lack of understanding from clinicians and professionals weakens a patient’s chances for full recovery because staff do not know how to balance restoring physical health with psychotherapy (Hernberg; Paintain; Roloff). We present that if treatment is individualized to address the struggles of each patient’s case of anorexia, then patients are able to heal the causes that fueled the eating disorder, increasing the likelihood of staying healthy in recovery.