Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

554CHAPTER 13 Psychological DisordersIs Anorexia Glamorous? Erika, 26, is apatient at an eating disorders center in Italy.Despite the enormous social pressure on girlsand women to be thin, there is nothingglamorous about death by heart or kidneyfailure. Anorexia also causes loss of hair,muscle, and teeth. Other complications includeosteoporosis, loss of reproductive function,chronic fatigue, and physical weakness.Extreme malnutrition produces a fine, softhair called lanugo that may cover the face,chest, arms, and back. Eating disorders arealso associated with increased rates ofsuicide (Crow & others, 2009). For informationor help visit the National EatingDisorders Association Web site atwww.nationaleatingdisorders.org or call1-800-931-2237.The severe malnutrition caused by anorexia disrupts body chemistry in ways thatare very similar to those caused by starvation. Basal metabolic rate decreases, as doblood levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin. Other hormonal levels drop, includingthe level of reproductive hormones. In women, reduced estrogen results in themenstrual cycle stopping. In males, decreased testosterone disrupts sex drive andsexual function (Crosscope-Happel & others, 2000). Because the ability to retainbody heat is greatly diminished, people with severe anorexia often develop a soft,fine body hair called lanugo (Beumont, 2002).Bulimia NervosaBingeing and PurgingLike people with anorexia, people with bulimia nervosa fear gaining weight. Intensepreoccupation and dissatisfaction with their bodies are also apparent. However,people with bulimia stay within a normal weight range or may even be slightlyoverweight. Another difference is that people with bulimia usually recognize thatthey have an eating disorder.People with bulimia nervosa experience extreme periods of binge eating, consumingas many as 50,000 calories on a single binge. Binges typically occur twicea week and are often triggered by negative feelings or hunger. During the binge,the person usually consumes sweet, high-calorie foods that can be swallowedquickly, such as ice cream, cake, and candy. Binges typically occur in secrecy, leavingthe person feeling ashamed, guilty, and disgusted by his own behavior. Afterbingeing, he compensates by purging himself of the excessive food by selfinducedvomiting or by misuse of laxatives or enemas. Once he purges, he oftenfeels psychologically relieved. Some people with bulimia don’t purge themselvesof the excess food. Rather, they use fasting and excessive exercise to keep theirbody weight within the normal range (American Psychiatric Association, 2000b).Like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa can take a serious physical toll on thebody. Repeated purging disrupts the body’s electrolyte balance, leading to musclecramps, irregular heartbeat, and other cardiac problems, some potentially fatal.Stomach acids from self-induced vomiting erode tooth enamel, causing tooth decayand gum disease. Especially when practiced for long periods of time, frequent vomitingseverely damages the gastrointestinal tract as well as the teeth (Powers, 2009).bulimia nervosaAn eating disorder characterized by bingesof extreme overeating followed by selfinducedvomiting, misuse of laxatives, orother inappropriate methods to purge theexcessive food and prevent weight gain.Causes of Eating DisordersA Complex PictureBoth anorexia and bulimia involve decreases in brain activity of the neurotransmitterserotonin (Fumeron & others, 2001). Disrupted brain chemistry probably also contributesto the fact that eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric