Question

Describe a specific example of how some aspect of culture either influences the diagnosis OR symptom presentation of a specific eating disorder or personality disorder. (300-500 words)

Answer 1

• Eating disorders have mostly been considered to be Western culture bound syndrome.In countries like America,Western Europe etc. anorexia and bulimia are characterized by eating too less or eating too much to an extreme pathological level leading to self induced vomiting or usage of laxatives to initiate purging.This disorder is mostly diagnosed among young females.
• Western culture involves a lot of preoccuption with one's weight and physical appearances making the prevalance and diagnosis of eating disorders more in this culture.There is a cultural focus on ideals of fitness and having the perfect body because of the unrealistic beauty standards set by the society for women which highly influences young teenage girls.
• Western media displays women having perfect body,perfect skin,considering fat to be ugly etc. which influences young girls living or influenced by western culture,leading to body image issues and developing eating disorders,being preoccupied with their weight and the desire to look "perfect".Women in America are preoccupied with being thin and dieting or extreme exercising to lose weight.
• Rate of eating disorders have also increased in Japan,Singapore etc. who have been exposed to the western culture through so many women living in western countries for education or work purposes.