Definition Essay Sample: Anorexia

Definition Essay Sample: Anorexia

Introduction

Anorexia is a psychiatric, life-threatening disorder. It is an eating disorder that falls under the avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). It is defined as self-starvation to maintain unhealthy body weight (Pini et al., 2016). It is understood as self-starvation to remain thin or maintain extraordinarily low body weight. The patients normally weigh less than expected for their age, sex, stage of growth, development, and physical health (Pini et al., 2016). People with anorexia are terrified of gaining weight, and they count every calorie they consume because they have a distorted notion of the ideal body image. This document will discuss the history of the disorder, its causes, and the treatment plans for its management.

History

The earliest cases of restricted eating in Western countries began from the widespread of Gnostic philosophy and Christianity. Both of them influenced self-starvation because they advocated for a separation between evil, materialism, and righteousness. Christians sought ablution of sins through self-starvation, and some roman women died from the act in an attempt to emulate saints like Saint Jerome (Pini et al., 2016). During the middle age, an association between starvation and spirituality was established, although most incidents of inanition were blamed on demonic possessions. All women who fasted were regarded with suspicion; even St. Caterina and only high-class charming women could persuade the public about the divine nature in their habits. Other scholars defined the fasting habits as ‘holy anorexia’ (Pini et al., 2016). In the Renaissance period, religion became less related with extreme self-starvation, and more medical explanations for the behavior emerged. Morton, an author of “Phthisiologia or a Treatise of Consumptions,” stated that fasting was brought about by a “deficient and unhealthy condition of the spirits” (Pini et al., 2016). This alludes to a psychological etiology that was responsible for such behaviors.

Fasting has evolved during the last three centuries. It progressed from association with religious practices to deep interconnections with body image representation. Since the mid-18th century, the preferred womanly beauty gradually changed from a curvy figure to a willowy and lean body (Pini et al., 2016). Industrialization forced more women, especially the lower classes, to work. Meanwhile, delicate, and dainty beauty became a statement of aristocracy, illustrating talent, success, and a gentle mind (Pini et al., 2016). An example of high-class beauty is the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. She followed stringent diet rules and exercised strenuously, which was exceptional (Pini et al., 2016). Her tall and slender figure embraced modern beauty standards, which continually became ideal until the 20th century.

Causes

The preferred body image for women evolves according to the current cultural and social trends. There was a period when the women who were considered beautiful had curvaceous, ample figures. However, the promoted body image has been progressively slender over the last three decades (Pini et al., 2016). The increasingly successful fitness industry has promoted the myth that leanness equals health. From a sociological point of view, Miller and Pumariega assign the changes in eating habits to overexposure and imposition of the western culture that emphasizes thinness as the ideal female body image (Pini et al., 2016). In addition, foreign exchange programs and immigration have been accused of predisposing adolescents and young adults to feeding disorders that blend certain elements of native culture with the compulsion to conform. For instance, vomiting instead of restriction in the Middle East is a more frequent symptom of anorexia nervosa (Pini et al., 2016). This behavior most likely reflects cultural norms or traditions that encourage vomiting more than restriction, and a vulnerable individual may embrace this kind of practice.

The Western world has been bombarding media with pictures of size-zero supermodels and other media impressions of slim role models. This imagery has made weight, shape, and dieting a normal concern among young adults (Pini et al., 2016). An example of such a media platform is TikTok. A documentary done by four corners explains how TikTok uses the algorithm data to identify the user’s personality, weaknesses, preferences, and challenges. The algorithm then sends videos of people going through the same challenges, with the same interests, or with the same tendencies as the user (Dias et al., 2021). This method creates a personalized feel to the app, keeps the user entertained, and becomes addictive. However, if one is going through a mental challenge like anorexia, the narrowed-down suggestions may make it difficult for