Abstract
Current ideas on the biological origins of anorexia and bulimia will be explored in this paper. These include areas ranging from genetic factors to neurotransmitter and hormone imbalances.
What is Anorexic and Bulimia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder as well as a psychatric disorder which is said to be mainly common among women when they start to believe that due to a deshaped body probably they are over-weight and start starving even when they are dangerously underweight. In females who have begun to menstruate, anorexia nervosa is usually marked by amenorrhea, or skipping at least three menstrual periods in a row. A girl is considered anorexic when her weight drops below 85% of what is expected for her height and age. Anorexia typically affects adolescent girls; the average age of onset is 13.7 years. Girls with anorexia tend to be perfectionists with a deep-seated need to feel in control. (Casper, 1998)
On the other hand Bulimia Nervosa is considered to be that disorder that basically disturbs the eating habits of the person. A person who is suffering from bulimia nervosa becomes increasingly unable to relate normally to food and instead develops a dependency on a muddled sequence of binging and purging. (Mitchell, 1993) In order to prevent themselves from getting over weight people with bulimia nervosa either make themselves vomit or use laxatives or diuretics or use all of these. Others do not act in this way but instead they over fast or exercise in order to reduce the impact of over eating. (Agras, 1987)
Etiology of Anorexia and Bulimia Disorder
There are many factors which are involved in causing bulimia and anorexia disorder such as individual, family, biological, socio-cultural and precipitating factors but firstly I would be generalizing on the causes of bulimia and anorexia disorder and then in detail would cover the biological factors which greatly influence bulimia and anorexia disorder...................
