More than thirty years ago one of this century's major sex symbols sang, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President," on television. With her size fourteen to sixteen figure, it is doubtful that society's standards would approve Marilyn Monroe today. Back in those

ate what tasted good or what the body needed and simply bought clothes that would hide any unwanted weight gain.

Thinness is idealism and perfection. It is her independent choice that no one else can take away from her. At the beginning of anorexia nervosa the subject will first change her diet, restricting how much she eats and usually cutting out starchy foods. Seventy-percent of a particular study claimed they were simply dieting. The rest used excuses of abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, or simply a lack of appetite (Dally, 1979, p.14). Those dieting had innocent intentions at first, even the approval of family members or peers, but as they reached their target weight the dieting did not slow down. In some cases it only became more intense.

Once both weight and clear thinking is resolved, the patient is ready to return home. Like alcoholics and other substance abusers, once freedom is allowed, chances of relapse are possible. The therapist must make sure the patient is self-disciplined with lifetime goals by resolving any emotional conflicts that may lead the patient back to her previous lifestyle for satisfaction. It is also important for the family of the anorexic to attend family therapy as well, to get over being too protective or in denial of any conflicts and to approach the problem of their daughter or son in a different fashion. The support of peers and family are very important for the anorectic so not to return to the self-satisfying lifestyle of pursuing a "perfect" weight. Anorexia nervosa is a frightening disease for the families and for society to deal with.

Although there are two types of anorexia nervosa, primary and secondary, primary anorexia nervosa is the most common, and the type being discussed in this paper. Secondary anorexia nervosa is developed adults of average intelligence and of middle or lower class. Primary anorexia nervosa is developed during puberty between the ages of 11 and 18 and usually by females. Only one of every 10 anorexia nervosa patients are male. Childhood is a very sensitive time period for all human beings. The brain is developing while the body grows. Morals and knowledge are being absorbed by daily activity and outside influences. It is this time that a danger zone may develop, negative behaviors are adapted and cannot be stopped. There is no overall difference between the childhood growth of a normal child and the childhood growth of an anorectic. Most likely they were skinny but had a high fatness and height growth rate before their peers. As a result, during puberty the subject may be more sensitive about her appearance.

The first step of treatment for anorexia nervosa is for family members or loved ones to step in and take her to get serious help. Most doctors and psychologists suggest that the subject be separated from her family. A family or an inexperienced therapist may allow the anorectic to promise and thus delay the process of healing, resulting in no real physical or mental healing (Dally, 1979, p.106). After being admitted into treatment starts the difficult process of healing involving psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, and dieticians. The first goal of treatment is to determine a target weight for the patient by figuring out the average height and weight of their age set and to reach approximately 90% of that ideal weight. The reasons it is important to gain back the weight

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