 Anorexia nervosa means “ nervous loss of appetite.”  Most anorectics are often both hungry and pre- occupied with thoughts of food.  The characteristics of anorexia have been known for over 100 years and were discovered by Hartley (1999)  Female anorectics outnumber males by 15:1  Onset is usually in adolescence,with children aged being most common. (Hsu 1990)  It is estimated that the disorders incidence range from 1 in 100 to 4 in 1000 (Sahakian 1987)

 Prolonged refusal to eat adequate amounts of food, resulting in delibrate weight loss.  Cessation of menstruation  Low blood pressure and body temperature  Constipation and dehydration

 There is a dysfunction of the hypothalamus which plays an important role in regulating eating.  Changes in the neurotransmitter levels can trigger eating disorders in non- humans therefore it may be similar in humans.  The neurotransmitter serotonin can induce satiation, suppressing an individuals appetite, especially for carbohydrates.  There is a tendency for anorexia nervosa to run in families, with 1 st and 2 nd degree relatives of anorectics being significantly more likely to develop the disorder compared to the same type of relative in a control group of non-anorectics. (Strober & Katz)  Park et al (1995) – Viral or immune induced alterations like glandular fever could trigger restrictive anorexia.  Lask (cited in Kennedy,1997) – A deficient blood flow to the anterior temporal lobes, which interpret vision, may explain why anorectics see themselves as fat.

 Strober and Katz (1997) discovered that1 st and 2 nd degree relatives of anorectics are significantly more likely to develop the disorder.  Holland et al (1984) found concordance rates of 55% for identical twins (MZ twins) and 7% fro freternal twins (DZ twins) Twins were raised together and the genetic component is likely to be small  Gorwood et al (1998) stated : the vulnerability component of anorexia nervosa that can be attributed to genetic factors is around 70% but the number of candidate genes involved is yet to be established.

Binge Purge Frequency Body image Much more food is consumed in a short period of time. This is much more than a normal person would eat. Self induced vomiting, excessive exercise and use of laxatives. The urge to binge of purge occurs at least twice a week over a 3 month period. Self evaluation depends mostly on his/her own body shape and weight

 Bulimia is confined to women.  Under 5% of bulimia cases are suffered by males  Most sufferers of bulimia are in their 20’s  Bulimia sufferers are generally older than anorexia sufferers  Is most common in Western Societies  Bulimia sufferers are of middle class rather than working class families.  Many bulimics have a history of anorexia  Bulimics are within 10% of their normal weights.  Bulimics try to satisfy a constant craving of food.

Causes Family pressure Social norms, values and roles Alcohol Weight phobia Fear of sexual maturity Hormones and endorphins Abnormal neurotransmitter Dysfunction of the hypothalamus Sexual abuse Stress