What are the physiological and psychological complications of anorexia nervosa?
It can be difficult to understand why anyone would repeatedly engage in a behavior that is ultimately harmful, but it’s important to remember that eating and exercise disorders are, first and foremost, an attempt at a solution. Eating disorders often begin with a sense of dissatisfaction that is perceived to be about the body. People start to diet or exercise, never intending or anticipating that they will develop a serious problem. As they engage in the dieting and exercise behaviors, however, and particularly if their efforts are praised or reinforced by other people, the changes in behavior and changes in body size and shape can begin to take on powerful psychological functions. People may find that the disorder provides them with a sense of control, self-esteem, identity, power or safety that felt lacking for them previously. Suddenly, they find that the choice of what to have for breakfast, or whether or not to exercise, is emotionally “loaded” out of all proportion to rationality
Related Questions
- Are there gender differences in core symptoms, temperament, and short-term prospective outcome in anorexia nervosa?
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