Anorexia
...alth problems may develop. The article goes on to provide a list of symptoms, which may include depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and lethargy. Physical symptoms may begin to appear as the disease progresses. These symptoms may include; swollen joints, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, constipation, loss of bone mass, and slowing or stoppage of sexual development. The body continues to deteriorate with a fall in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart arrthymias and death from a heart attack. The writer notes statistics that show that on average the diagnosis of anorexia is made at eighteen years of age. Statistics also show that the risk for anorexia increases eleven times for relatives of a person with the disease. Researchers are currently searching for a gene related to anorexia, some success has already been made in this area. Researchers have numerous theories about anorexia. Some physicians believe it may be due to peer pressure, sexual anxieties, or child abuse. Another theory is anorexia is an addiction, while others believe that anorexics have a specific personality. These theories suggest that anorexics are hypersensitive to rejection, have feelings of inferiority, and unrealistic hopes of perfection. Yet another theory puts the blame on parents who make conflicting demands on their children. The writer also brings up the point that society and culture may have an effect on the increasing number of anorexics. Society is sending the message that to be healthy and beautiful you must be slim. While it would be easy to put all the blame on today’s society, research shows symptoms of anorexia r...