With increasing competition in professions that require a physical appearance close to what is considered perfect, and especially with the high visibility achieved by these professions, millions of people? mostly women? They feel compelled to follow a beauty standard that is not always ideal for their physical type and is definitely not ideal for their health.
The truth is that the so-called? Dictatorship of beauty? It causes many women to undergo dangerous cosmetic procedures and strict diet diets. However, the search for the perfect body, contrary to what many believe, is not a recent trend in society. For many centuries people have sought to fit into patterns determined by cultural aspects of the place in which they live. What certainly happened was a continuous and slow change of these patterns. At the time of the Renaissance, for example, the ideal woman was not thin; it should have broad hips and even a little fat in the abdomen as this was considered sensual.
The years go by, the standards go. The fashion industry is not restricted to dictating clothing trends; through your most human representation? As models of catwalks and commercial photos, this industry has a great influence on the lives of children and adolescents who dream one day of being part of it. And since the current standard is complete thinness, girls of all ages feel compelled to imitate it, even if there is a high price to pay.
Among the ills caused by this incessant search, one of the most serious is the so-called "Anorexia Nervosa".
Which is?
The psychological disorder, which causes one to see oneself as fat as it actually is, usually begins in adolescence, when the individual is more susceptible to social pressures eventually experienced by friends or in the school environment.
Individuals who develop anorexia nervosa often develop one or more types of compulsive behavior in parallel. Most direct these behaviors toward the absolute control of food intake and weight gain, reaching the extreme stages of complete abstinence in later stages.
Causes
Medicine has not yet determined a specific cause for anorexia nervosa. Some research has shown that genetic factors may be involved, as well as psychological problems such as low self-esteem, a distorted view of oneself, and pressure on the social environment.
Complications
The disease can cause damage to the most diverse systems of the human body. As the patient's psychological condition worsens, the eating disorder is no longer just that order, and it harms other areas of health. Some of these side effects of anorexia may be:
- Delay in development and growth? when in teenagers;
- decreased or accelerated heart rate;
- various problems related to the digestive system;
- decreased bone density;
- anemia;
- hormonal loss of control;
- acute malnutrition.
Treatment
The treatment of anorexia should not be focused solely on weight gain. Since the problem is caused by some psychological disorder, this is a sector that deserves the attention of the patient as well as the people with whom he lives.
An integration of individual, group and family therapy is indicated so that the environment in which the patient is inserted can contribute to the improvement of his psychological condition. It is essential that family and friends understand the problem and its consequences so that they do not think they are small or unimportant.
Nutritional counseling should also be initiated, regulating the intake of healthy foods necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Participation of close people in the recovery process can make it easier for the patient to understand the absurdity of beauty standards demanded by today's media. Psychological support and trust in daily life are key tools for dealing with problems such as anorexia.
Anorexia nervosa - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology (April 2024)
- Teens, Eating, Diets
- 1,230
