Eating Disorder Case Study Analysis

Introduction

From the analysis of Jenny's symptoms, it can be concluded that she is suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. This is an eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating behaviors in the quest for extreme thinness and loss of weight. Some of the symptoms of the disorder that Jenny shows include considerably low weight, lack of information on the risks of very low weight, behaviors that interfere with gaining weight and restriction of food intake.

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Diagnosis and Treatment Stressors

First, Jenny's family shows an enmeshed family pattern. This occurs when members of a family are over concerned and overinvolved in the affairs of each other. From when she was a child, her mother kept on overemphasizing thinness and forcing her to take part in figure skating. She says that when she got a compliment or was criticized about how she looked, she kept on losing even more weight. These pressures heightened her awareness regarding her weight and appearance.

Additionally, Jenny's journey to recovery will not be easy because she does not think that her low weight is problematic. This will be difficult to work through because the notion is part of her identity.

Models of Abnormality for Anorexia Nervosa

Psychodynamic

These have to do with deficiencies of one's ego and poor sense of control and independence. This especially occurs when a child has been raised by ineffective parents who do not take time to interpret the needs and likes of their children. Because they cannot express their internal needs, they grow up as model children looking up to external guides like a mother in the case of Jenny. From the outside, one might look like they are doing okay but inside they are grappling with the worry of not being good enough.

CognitiveThe cognitive theory views the excessive preoccupation to lose weight as a response to internal stressors. People suffering from anorexia nervosa especially those pushed by societal factors have little control over activities in their lives. They are pushed to believe that they are not good enough which brings accompanying emotions and feelings. For Jenny, these cognitive misrepresentations had accompanying behaviors. She misused the little control she had when it came to her weight by exercising excessive control over her eating habits and body shape.

Sociocultural

Society today believes that there is a standard female size and that is what is attractive. In different performance subcultures, thinness is valued and people are more likely to face criticism for their weigh. For Jenny's case, her mother made her join figure skating which has specific body standards for one to join. She had to conform to having a thinner frame to fit into a societal activity. The attitude that society has towards slender bodies has brought prejudice against the curvier demographic. Jenny says that when she started losing weight, everyone glorified her size which made her feel good. When her coach commented on her weight gain, the slur made her become anorexic.

Treatment Recommendation

Family therapy would be the main treatment plan for Jenny. It is clear that Jenny is too close to her mother who has, in turn, made her into her "perfect" child. It is clear that she is uncomfortable with the situation sometimes judging from her interview responses. Based on the troublesome family history, Jenny and her parents need to make appropriate changes. Jenny will have to separate her needs and feeling from those of her mother. Family therapy is increasingly being adopted as a key treatment plan for people with anorexia nervosa.