Anorexia as a Complex Mental Disorder

Anorexia as a Complex Mental Disorder

Anorexia is a complex mental disorder where severe emotional distress is expressed via disordered behavior involving food restriction. It causes extremely dangerous health-related problems such as infertility, hair loss, kidney and liver damage, irregular heartbeats, and in some extreme cases, even death (NHS, 2016). Over 1.6 million people in the UK are estimated to be directly affected by eating disorders, and a staggering 1 in 250 women will experience anorexia at some point in their lives (Beat Eating Disorders, 2016). A basic 12-week specialist in-patient course of treatment on the NHS costs about £25,000 (BBC News, 2003). In 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced government funding of £150m for young people with eating disorders and a commitment to reduce waiting times for treatment (The Independent, 2015).

The Rising Costs and Impact of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia cost the UK more than £15bn a year in 2016, yet the incidence is still on the rise (The Independent, 2015). The research project that is going to be carried out will focus on eating disorders, specifically anorexia, because there is a growing percentage of eating disorders in the UK, and it is still rising each year. Recent figures from January 2014 reveal a national rise of 8 percent in hospital admissions for eating disorders in the 12 months prior to October 2013 (Anorexia and Bulimia Care, 2015). In recent years, eating disorders have become a growing topic within the media, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention and support systems. This is costing the NHS a large sum of money, as the £15bn figure cited earlier includes not only treatment but also educational efforts to create awareness and reduce the overall rate of eating disorders. This financial strain on the NHS underscores the rising pressure to combat anorexia effectively.

The Role of Social Media in Eating Disorders

Social media has effectively infiltrated every classroom, household, and workplace. Whether used by children, teenagers, or adults, everyone seems to have a presence in the social media world. With a wide range of platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter, it can be increasingly difficult to escape the pressures and influences of social media. The latest research from Ofcom suggests that almost half of young people aged between 8 and 17 have a profile on a social networking site such as Facebook (Teaching Times, 2016). The power of social networking is such that the number of worldwide users is expected to reach approximately 2.95 billion by 2020 (Statista, 2017). This rise in social media usage is linked to the increasing prevalence of eating disorders, partly due to the pressures and unrealistic standards perpetuated online. The accessibility of forums and websites offering tips and tricks related to eating disorders, such as 'pro-ana' websites, further exacerbates the issue.

Addressing Pro-Ana Websites

The Independent (2017) suggested that the easy accessibility of pro-ana websites is promoting anorexia and other eating disorders, and actions should be taken to block or monitor the use of these sites. Due to the large number of social media users, there is a clear correlation between the increase in anorexia and the societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards. The idea of social media validation contributes to the perpetuation of these disorders, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and awareness campaigns to combat the harmful influences of these platforms.

References

• BBC News. (2003). The cost of treating eating disorders.
• Beat Eating Disorders. (2016). Statistics on eating disorders.
• NHS. (2016). Anorexia: Overview and health impacts.
• Statista. (2017). Forecast of social media user numbers worldwide.
• Teaching Times. (2016). Impact of social media on young people.
• The Independent. (2015). Government funding for eating disorders treatment.
• The Independent. (2017). The rise of pro-ana websites and their impact.
• Anorexia and Bulimia Care. (2015). Statistics on hospital admissions for eating disorders.