6. A 20-year-old college student who is slightly overweight. She is neat and ord

Question

6. A 20-year-old college student who is slightly overweight. She is neat and orderly and considered to be a perfectionist. She has a sister, who is 2 years younger and has always been very slim. This client thinks that she is ugly and that her sister is pretty. Client began a daily diet of 500 calories with a rigid exercise program to lose weight rapidly. Client’s weight decreased below the normal amount for her height. Client continued to diet by reducing her daily caloric intake to 250 calories and then to 100 calories and began to look emaciated. Client’s parents asked her to increase her food intake, but client said that she was “still fat and ugly.” Her parents intervened by taking her to a psychiatrist for treatment. Her diagnosis was anorexia nervosa.

a. What is the probable cause of her eating disorder?

b. What specific eating disorder does this client most likely have?

Explanation / Answer

Anorexia nervosa causes are

a. The unrealistic perception of body weight i.e. the person’s perception; that she is fat and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. She may have the genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity, and perseverance. Peer pressure can also be a cause.

b. Anorexia Nervosa is the specific eating disorder does this client most likely has. It is a psychological and possibly life-threatening eating disorder.

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