Question

Jessica’s problems with anorexia began in relatively late adolescence (age 19). What does this suggest about a “critical period” or “window of opportunity” for the onset of eating disorders? Do you think there are certain points in a person’s life when the onset of anorexia or bulimia is more likely? Why or why not? Conversely, do you think there’s a “safe period” after which an eating disorder is unlikely? How is Jessica’s view of her own body typical or atypical of most people dealing with anorexia? (Chapter 11)

Answer 1

Anorexia nervosa is one of the eating disorders in which a person has the compulsively to remain to remain thin. A person already has a Low weight, and moreover they have a fear that they would gain weight . They continue to have the desire to remain thin, and this is going to make them implement food restrictions on themselves. They continue to feel that they are overweight, even after being underweight. They are unable to accept the fact that they are suffering from low weight problem.

What does this suggest about a “critical period” or “window of opportunity” for the onset of eating disorders? Do you think there are certain points in a person’s life when the onset of anorexia or bulimia is more likely?

Critical period or window of opportunities is the period when a person begins to adopt or learn a behaviour. When a period enters late adolescence, there is a greater chance that they would start adopting a behaviour. When a person begins to enter into adolescence or in late adolescence, they are under humongous influence of friends and the herd mentality or peer mentality is the highest. For girls, one of the biggest rush is to lose weight, and there is the highest chance that girls would develop the rush to lose weight, anorexia, or to think that they have eaten too much and begin to to start purging.

How is Jessica’s view of her own body typical or atypical of most people dealing with anorexia?

Jessica’s view of a her body is typical of anorexia, where people do think that they are getting fat, even after being underweight. The age where girls enter adolescence is the greatest where they begin to be affected by bulimia and anorexia.

“safe period” may be considered when girls are may be out of their adolescence. When they realise the sense of self and the realisation that eating less is not the only solution to maintain healthy body. It may be after the adolescence period.