Laiba Fuzail

Anorexia nervosa, most commonly referred to as just “anorexia,” is an eating disorder marked by a deficient body weight, a crippling fear of gaining weight, and a skewed understanding of weight. Anorexics prioritize maintaining a healthy weight and body image, often requiring drastic measures that severely disrupt their daily routines.

To maintain their weight loss or avoid gaining it back, anorexics typically strictly restrict their food intake. They might use laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, or enemas improperly, or they might vomit just after eating to reduce their caloric intake. They can also attempt to shed pounds by engaging in excessive exercise. The person’s anxiety about gaining weight persists, regardless of the amount of weight lost.

Food isn’t a factor in anorexia. It’s a hazardous and harmful method of attempting to deal with emotional issues. Being thin is typically associated with self-worth in anorexics.

Who Is at Risk for Anorexia?

If you are designated female at birth, you are more likely to experience eating disorders like anorexia than if you are given male at birth, while the rates of the latter group are on the rise. Compared to white people, people of color may be less likely to have questions about their symptoms. (You also have a roughly 50% lower chance of receiving a diagnosis or treatment.) You may be more likely to struggle with an eating disorder and make suicide attempts.

Performers, models, dancers, and athletes in weight-conscious sports like figure skating, boxing, wrestling, and gymnastics are more likely to suffer from eating disorders.

You might be a great achiever, excelling in your job, athletics, education, and other pursuits. You can exhibit obsessive, nervous, or sad symptoms, along with perfectionist traits. Anorexia can strike at any time, but it typically starts around adolescence.

How common is anorexia?

Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the worldwide population, and anorexia affects approximately 1% to 2% of the population. It affects 0.3% of adolescents.

Why does anorexia occur?

All eating disorders, including anorexia, are complicated diseases. Because of this, the precise origin of anorexia is unknown; nonetheless, research points to a potential mix of genetic predispositions, psychological characteristics, and environmental variables, particularly sociocultural ones.

Several factors could contribute to the development of anorexia, including:

Genetics: Studies indicate that between 50% and 80% of the risk factors for eating disorders are inherited. An eating problem is ten times more likely to develop in people who have first-degree relatives—parents or siblings—who also have one, suggesting a hereditary component. Modifications in brain chemistry could also play a role, specifically in the brain reward system and with neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which influence mood, impulse control, appetite, and mood.

Trauma: According to several specialists, people who strive to restrict their food intake as a coping mechanism for intense emotions and overpowering sentiments are the origin of eating disorders, including anorexia. For instance, physical or sexual abuse can play a role in the development of an eating disorder in certain individuals.

Environment and culture: People may feel unwarranted pressure to meet unattainable body standards in societies that idealize a specific body type, typically “thin” bodies. Media representations and popular culture frequently associate being thin with success, pleasure, popularity, and attractiveness. Anorexia may develop in someone as a result of this.

Peer pressure: This may be an extremely potent influence, especially for kids and teenagers. Anorexia can occur as a result of being subjected to body image or weight-related taunts, bullying, or ridicule.

Emotional well-being: An individual’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem can be undermined by impulsive conduct, perfectionism, and challenging relationships. They may become more susceptible to anorexia as a result.

It’s crucial to understand that anorexia, or eating disorders, can develop in a variety of ways. Inappropriate coping mechanisms that eventually turn into persistent eating habits are what many individuals refer to as “disordered eating.” Some people with anorexia do follow this path to disordered eating, but not all of them do.

Even though doctors don’t know why people get anorexia, they do know that some things can make someone more likely to have it. They can include:

How is anorexia treated?

Anorexia is a complex eating disorder that often requires early diagnosis and treatment. The goals of treatment include stabilizing weight loss, initiating nutrition rehabilitation to restore weight, eliminating binge eating and purging behaviors, treating psychological issues like low self-esteem and distorted thinking patterns, and developing long-term behavioral changes.

People with eating disorders often have additional mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders.

Treatment options vary depending on the individual’s needs and may involve residential care or hospitalization. A combination of strategies, including psychotherapy, medication, nutrition counseling, group and/or family therapy, and hospitalization, is most common.

Psychotherapy focuses on changing the thinking and behavior of anorexia patients, including acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive remediation therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family-based therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Medications may be prescribed to manage anxiety and depression associated with anorexia, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa®) for weight gain and period regulation.

Nutrition counseling involves teaching a healthy approach to food and weight, helping restore normal eating patterns, emphasizing nutrition and a balanced diet, and restoring a healthy relationship with food and eating.

Group and/or family therapy is crucial for anorexia treatment success, as it helps individuals understand the eating disorder and recognize its signs and symptoms.

Hospitalization may be necessary for severe weight loss resulting in malnutrition and other serious mental or physical health complications.

Conclusion

Anorexia nervosa is a complicated eating disorder with many underlying causes, such as environmental variables, psychological issues, social pressures, and genetic predispositions. It frequently appears as a coping strategy for underlying emotional problems such as trauma, poor self-worth, and perfectionism. Even though each person’s exact cause of anorexia may be different, it’s important to understand the risk factors and warning indicators linked to the illness. To address anorexia and encourage recovery, early intervention, and thorough therapy are crucial. Depending on the specific needs of each patient, treatment strategies may include family therapy, medicine, nutrition counseling, and psychotherapy. Through the management of anorexia’s psychological and physical components, people can attain stability, reestablish nutritious eating habits, and create enduring behavioral modifications.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/mental-health-anorexia-nervosa

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9794-anorexia-nervosa

Social media has become integral to our daily routines: we interact with family members and friends, accept invitations to public events, and join online communities to meet people who share similar preferences using these platforms. Social media has opened a new avenue for social experiences ever since the early 2000s, adding the possibilities for communication. The use of social media has a growing concern for the mental health of people According to recent research, people spend 2.3 hours daily on social media influence on mental health. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have become increasingly popular among youth in 2022, and one-third think they spend too much time on these platforms.

Adverse Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

The continuous use of technology has a greater impact on the digital well-being and mental of a person as people spend considerable time people spend on social media worldwide has directed researchers’ attention toward the potential benefits and risks. Research shows lower psychological well-being is mainly associated with excessive use Internet. However,as long as it also suggests that the quality rather than the quantity of social media use can determine whether the experience will enhance or deteriorate the user’s mental health. In detail, we will explore the impact of social media use on mental health by providing comprehensive research perspectives are both positive and negative effects.

Continuous Usage

The phenomenon of continuous usage of social media is one of the main worries regarding its impact on mental health. A state of permanent stimulation is facilitated by the incessant flow of information, the compulsive nature of scrolling through endless feeds, and the need to remain connected through digital means. Adverse effects of prolonged screen usage are faced by people. Prolonged exposure has been associated with elevated levels of stress and anxiety, as well as depressive symptoms in certain instances.

It links with Mental Health Problems

According to a study by Twenge and Campbell (2018), there is a worrying link between the rise in adolescent mental health problems and the usage of social media. Unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy can be cultivated by the frequent comparison and inspection of well-managed online personas. It is critical to understand that, despite being an effective medium for communication, social media can also serve as a haven for detrimental psychological effects.

Social Comparison

As I have noted social comparison is central to the conversation about the effects of social media on mental health. People are inherently inclined to assess themselves against others, a tendency that is heightened in the selective realm of social media. One develops a warped standard for evaluating oneself when they are continuously exposed to idealized depictions of other people’s lives.

Understanding this shifting environment is crucial to developing strategies that successfully limit potential harm. As well as recent developments, such as the rise of social media such as Instagram Stories and Snapchat, have added dimensions to social comparison and self-esteem.

Social Isolation

As long as it was discovered between the amount of time spent on social media and elevated experiences of social isolation in a study that was published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology (Twenge et al., 2018). Because internet content is carefully selected, people frequently present just their finest experiences, leaving out the hardships and difficulties that come with being human, which can result in unfair comparisons. This biased portrayal can heighten feelings of inadequacy and lead to a warped perception of reality.

Low Self Esteem

Likes, comments, and shares are examples of feedback methods that social media platforms love. Although these characteristics increase involvement, they also bring in a psychological component that may have a significant effect on self-esteem. Self-worth can become inextricably linked to outside validation in a risky loop when approval is sought through online measurements.

Never Ending Need For Approval

Psychologically, this never-ending need for approval sets off the brain’s reward chemical, dopamine, to release. People may eventually discover that they are caught in a vicious cycle where they need to get more and more online approval to feel worthy of themselves. This tendency called the “like culture,” has consequences for mental health since it perpetuates the idea that the main source of one’s self-worth comes from outside validation.

The impact of social media on mental health is dynamic, changing as platform features, user behavior, and cultural standards change. Understanding this shifting environment is crucial to developing strategies that successfully limit potential harm. Recent developments, such as the rise of transient content on platforms like Instagram Stories and Snapchat, have added dimensions to social comparison and self-esteem.

Personal and Societal Identities

The creation and expression of one’s own identity as well as that of society depends on social media. Examining how social media platforms facilitate identity creation, self-perception, and the affirmation of diverse identities can help us better understand the complex relationship between social media and mental health.

Global Connectivity: 

Social media serves as a conduit for information, enabling you to remain in touch and exchange updates with 

loved ones anywhere in the world. This online connection fosters a sense of community and helps preserve relationships.

Diverse Networking

Social media makes it easier to find new acquaintances and communities outside of existing connections. It provides a forum for networking with people who have similar interests, resulting in a variety of connections.

Advocacy and Awareness

 Social media is a potent instrument for bringing important topics to light and supporting deserving initiatives. It offers a forum for promoting change and adding to the larger discussion regarding societal issues.

Emotional Support

Social media can be a useful tool for people in need of emotional support during difficult times. The platform facilitates the expression of empathy and solidarity among those facing personal or global crises, thereby establishing a virtual support network.

Inclusivity and Creativity

Social media is essential for fostering inclusivity since it provides a means of social interaction for those who live in remote regions or have limited freedom. It turns into a vital platform for artistic expression, giving users the chance to share their skills and meet like-minded people.

Information Access

 Social media is a handy means of obtaining important information and educational materials, but one should use caution when dealing with false information. Users can participate in educational debates, remain up to date on a variety of topics, and increase their knowledge base.

Modifying social media use for better mental health: 

• According to a 2018 University of Pennsylvania study, cutting back on social media use to 30 minutes in a day significantly decreased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and FOMO.
• However, reducing your social media usage significantly is not necessary to enhance your mental well-being.
• Social Media Detox Even while many of us may not be able to commit to a full “social media detox” or even just 30 minutes a day, we can still gain from cutting back on our social media usage. For the majority of us, this entails using our cell phones less. The following advice may be useful
• Avoid using your phone in the lavatory. Track how much time you spend on social media each day using an app. Check how much time you spend in the day, including traveling, attending a meeting, working out, having dinner, interacting with friends in person, or playing with your children, switch off your phone.
• Avoid taking your tablet or phone to bed. After turning off the electronics, place them in a different area to charge overnight.
• Turn off notifications on social media. The incessant buzzing, beeping, and dinging of your phone to notify you of new messages is difficult to ignore. You may restore control over your time and attention by turning off your notifications. Limit assessments.
• Checking your phone obsessively every few minutes, try cutting back to once every 15 minutes to start weaning yourself off.
• Certain apps can automatically restrict how much time you can spend on your phone. If you just want to check Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites from your computer or tablet, try deleting the social media apps from your phone. If eliminating one social media app at a time seems like too big of a step, observe how much of an impact it has.

More time should be spent with pals who are not online.

To be happy and healthy, we all require the company of other people in person. When used properly, social media can be a very useful tool for fostering in-person relationships.

engage with friends and family in person. Make it a habit to always turn off your phone when you get together. Make plans to meet up with an old buddy, whether they are online or in person if you have ignored your in-person friendships. Offer to go for a joint workout or errand run if you both have hectic schedules.

Discover a creative project, pastime, or exercise routine that you like, then connect with a regular group of people who share your interests. Avoid allowing social shyness to get in your way. There are tried-and-true methods for overcoming shyness and forming friendships. Speak with acquaintances if you don’t think you have somebody to spend time with.

Be the one to break the ice because a lot of individuals find it awkward to make new friends, just like you. Ask a student or neighbor to join you for coffee, or ask a coworker to lunch.

Practice Gratitude:

• Resentment, hostility, and unhappiness that are occasionally caused by social media can be greatly reduced by acknowledging and expressing your thankfulness.
• Give yourself some time to think.
• Consider utilizing a thankfulness app or keeping a gratitude journal.
• Make a list of all the wonderful moments and things you have in your life.
• You can even share your thankfulness on social media if you’re more likely to complain or post bad things.

Engage in mindfulness. Feeling FOMO and negatively comparing yourself to others causes you to ruminate on the setbacks and annoyances of life. You’re too preoccupied with the “what ifs” and “if onlys” that keep you from living the kind of life you see on social media to be present in the here and now.

References

1. Statista. (2022). Time spent on social media [Chart]. Accessed June 19, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/chart/18983/time-spent-on-social-media/.Return to ref 1 in article
2. Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys. Retrieved June 14, 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/24/teens-and-social-media-key-findings-from-pew-research-center-surveys/.
3. Boer, M., Van Den Eijnden, R. J., Boniel-Nissim, M., Wong, S. L., Inchley, J. C.,Badura, P.,… Stevens, G. W. (2020). Adolescents’ intense and problematic social media use and their well-being in 29 countries. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66(6), S89-S99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.02.011.
4. Marciano L, Ostroumova M, Schulz PJ, Camerini AL. Digital media use and adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2022;9:2208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.641831.
5. Jameel, A. (2023, December 4). The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health. Modern Diplomacy. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/12/04/the-impact-of-social-media-on-mental-health/
6. HelpGuide. (n.d.). Social Media and Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

At any point contemplated whether having the right mentality could have a major effect in managing medical conditions like heftiness. Indeed, it’s a piece like being the commander of your wellbeing transport, yet for certain interesting waves to explore. Picture this: our contemplations and decisions resemble directing the boat, yet there are additionally different elements like the breeze and the ocean pushing us around. Thus, in this excursion of well-being, we’ll investigate if having a positive outlook resembles having major areas of strength, directing us through the high points and low points of remaining solid, particularly while confronting difficulties like obesity.

Mindset

Mindsets, referred to in earlier work as implicit theories, are people’s lay beliefs about personal attributes, ranging from intelligence to sports ability (Dweck, 2000).

Fixed Mindset: views those same traits as inherently stable and unchangeable over time.

A growth Mindset views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort.

It is important to note that mindsets are domain-specific, meaning that individuals can have a growth mindset in a certain domain (e.g., athletic ability) but a fixed mindset in another (e.g., math ability). These belief systems impact motivation, self-regulation, and goal achievement (e.g., Burnette, 2010; Burnette et al., 2013; Hoyt et al., 2014). Mindsets also serve as a framework that guides attributions about the self and others, with important implications for person perception (Erdley and Dweck, 1993; Levy et al., 1998; Poon and Koehler, 2008; Hoyt and Burnette, 2013).

Recent work extended the mindset approach to understanding health behaviors including exercise intentions (Orvidas et al., 2018), dieting goal persistence (e.g., Burnette, 2010), addiction treatment intentions (Burnette et al., 2019), coping strategies for psychological distress (Park et al., 2017), and smoking cessation (Kauffman et al., 2017). For example, inducing a growth mindset about weight served as a buffer against weight gain following severe dieting setbacks (Burnette and Finkel, 2012) and predicted healthier food choices (Ehrlinger et al., 2017). Additionally, growth mindsets regarding athletic ability predicted motivation and enjoyment of physical education classes (Biddle et al., 2003). And, growth mindsets of health predicted healthier eating intentions (Thomas et al., 2019).

What You Can Do When Taking Action Against Obesity

Think about what you eat and why. Track your eating habits by writing down everything you eat, including time of day and amount of food. Also, record what was going through your mind at the time. Were you sad or upset with something? Or, had you just finished a stressful experience and felt the need for “comfort food?”

Cut down on portions while eating the same foods. Along with making dieting feel less deprived, you’ll soon find that the smaller portions are just as satisfying. This will also give you a platform to safely curb your appetite even more.

Note that while treating obesity often helps decrease feelings of depression, weight loss is never successful if you remain burdened by stress and other negative feelings. You may have to work to resolve these issues first before beginning a weight-loss program.

Losing weight is always easier when you have the support of friends and family. Try to enlist the entire household in eating a healthier diet. Many hospitals and schools also sponsor support groups made up of people who offer each other valuable encouragement and support. Research shows that people who participate in such groups lose more weight than going it alone.

Use the “buddy system.” Ask a friend or family member to be “on-call” for moral support when you’re tempted to stray from your new lifestyle. Just be sure you’re not competing with this person to lose weight.

Don’t obsess over “bad days” when you can’t help eating more. This is often a problem for women who tend to be overly hard on themselves for losing discipline. Look at what thoughts or feelings caused you to eat more on a particular day, and how you can deal with them in ways other than binge eating. A psychologist can help you formulate an action plan for managing these uncomfortable feelings.

Setting goals and being motivated: A positive outlook can fuel inspiration, making it more straightforward to define and accomplish well-being-related objectives. Whether it’s integrating standard activity, pursuing nutritious food decisions, or overseeing pressure, a persuaded mentality can drive these positive changes.

Strength and Perseverance: Changing unfortunate circumstances frequently requires flexibility despite difficulties. A positive mentality can assist people with quickly returning from difficulties, gaining from disappointments, and continuing in their endeavors to lead a better way of life.

Self-Efficacy: Having faith in one’s capacity to roll out sure improvements is critical. A right outlook cultivates self-viability, the certainty that one can defeat impediments and make important changes following further development of wellbeing.

Conclusion

Developing a positive attitude becomes increasingly important in the fight against unhealthy conditions like obesity. It drives people to set and achieve health-related goals, recover from setbacks, and build confidence in their ability to change things for the better. Notwithstanding, seeing mentality as a feature of a more extensive context is fundamental.

While the right outlook contributes essentially to better decisions, it isn’t the sole determinant of generally speaking well-being. Outer variables, including hereditary qualities, financial circumstances, and admittance to assets, likewise assume critical parts. Consequently, an extensive methodology that considers both individual office and outer impacts is vital for successfully tending to and controlling well-being challenges.

Generally, embracing a positive mentality makes way for individual strengthening and flexibility on the excursion to better well-being. However, recognizing the complex idea of well-being concerns guarantees that endeavors to control and further develop well-being are both reasonable and comprehensive of the different variables at play.

References

Dweck C. S. (2000). Self-theories: Their role in motivation, personality, and development. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group

Burnette J. L., O’Boyle E. H., VanEpps E. M., Pollack J. M., Finkel E. J. (2013). Mindsets matter: a meta-analytic review of implicit theories and self-regulation. Psychol. Bull. 139, 655–701. 10.1037/a0029531

Erdley C. A., Dweck C. S. (1993). Children’s implicit personality theories as predictors of their social judgments. Child Dev. 64, 863–878. 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1993.tb02948.x

Levy S. R., Stroessner S. J., Dweck C. S. (1998). Stereotype formation and endorsement: the role of implicit theories. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 74, 1421–1436. 10.1037/0022-3514.74.6.1421

Poon C. S. K., Koehler D. J. (2008). Person theories: their temporal stability and relation to intertrait inferences. Personal. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 34, 965–977. 10.1177/0146167208316690

Hoyt C. L., Burnette J. L. (2013). Gender bias in leader evaluations: merging implicit theories and role congruity perspectives. Personal. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 39, 1306–1319. 10.1177/0146167213493643 

Orvidas K., Burnette J. L., Russell V. M. (2018). Mindsets applied to fitness: growth beliefs predict exercise efficacy, value and frequency. Psychol. Sport Exerc. 36, 156–161. 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.02.006

Burnette J. L. (2010). Implicit theories of body weight: entity beliefs can weigh you down. Pers. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 36, 410–422. 10.1177/0146167209359768

Park D., Yu A., Metz S. E., Tsukayama E., Crum A. J., Duckworth A. L. (2017). Beliefs about stress attenuate the relation among adverse life events, perceived distress, and self-control. Child Dev. 89, 2059–2069. 10.1111/cdev.12946

Burnette J. L., Finkel E. J. (2012). Buffering against weight gain following dieting setbacks: an implicit theory intervention. J. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 48, 721–725. 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.12.020

Thomas F. N., Burnette J. L., Hoyt C. L. (2019). Mindsets of health and healthy eating intentions. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol. 00, 1–9. 10.1111/jasp.12589

https://www.apa.org/topics/obesity/mind-body-health