Teenagers with Eating Disorders - Essay Example

Researchers tried to identify factors, which predispose individuals to developing eating disorders. Among these factors was socio-economic status (SES), whereby proponents asserted that eating disorders were more prevalent among females from high social classes.

sing Pat Gibbons's 2001 study as a reference, outlined below is the relationship between eating disorders and socio-economic status. Gibbon's study corroborated the findings of researchers who dispelled Fenwik's supposition. However, he also uncovered that socioeconomic status played an insignificant role in predisposing individuals to developing eating disorders. According to results from Gibbons' study, females from lower social classes recorded higher incidents of eating disorders (Gibbons, 2001).

Eating disorders afflict individuals regardless of gender; however, it is more prevalent among females. The revised fifth edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V) classifies eating disorders into various categories outlining symptoms specific to each type. This makes it easier for mental health practitioners to distinguish between different eating disorders when diagnosing clients. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders characterized by the irrational fear of gaining weight. However, anorexics and bulimics differ in the steps they undertake to avoid gaining weight. Anorexics starve themselves whereas, bulimics binge eat and then engage in compensatory behaviors to purge what they ate; for example, they induce vomiting or use laxatives (NEDA).

Psychologists attribute eating disorders to maladjustment in an individual's personality.  The word personality refers to specific traits unique to an individual that remain constant across different situations. The psychosocial developmental theory advanced by Erik Erickson describes milestones specific to each developmental stage, which all children must accomplish to become well-adjuted adults. According to him, an individual develops their self-identity during adolescence, whereby failure to resolve the crisis at this stage leads to confusion (AACAP, 2013). A confused identity translates into weak self-esteem, which leaves a person defenseless against pressure from external sources. Peer pressure and influence from the media influence one's perception of their self-image because they help propagate stereotypes about acceptable standards of beauty, and fashion among other things.

Various interventions prove useful in helping people afflicted by eating disorders recover and live normal life. Psychotherapy is mandatory in sustaining patients' recovery because it provides a platform for them to discuss their feelings. In addition, it creates awareness within a patient enabling them to understand the consequences of their actions. Constant surveillance is also crucial to sustaining the healing process; for example, food intake and regular weigh-ins must be recorded. Read More