Week 8 Feeding And Eating Disorders Somatic Symptom Disorder

Week 8 Feeding And Eating Disorders Somatic Symptom Disorders And O

Both eating disorders and somatic symptom disorders involve a mind-body relationship. However, those living with somatic disorders tend to be highly sensitized to their body experiences in a different way than those with eating disorders. While eating disorders can cause individuals to lose their interoceptive awareness of the body, those with somatic disorders tend to have a magnified awareness, often coupled with preoccupation and a high level of anxiety that is deemed to be excessive to the cause. These spectrums of illness require that social workers take an early-intervention, multidisciplinary, and biopsychosocial approach to treatment to be successful in supporting recovery.

Both require knowledge and extensive communication with medical providers and other specialists. That priority for interdisciplinary knowledge and teamwork increases in importance given the mortality rates of eating disorders and the mind-body factors in both. This week you analyze the impact of living with an eating disorder and the problems (nutritional, medical, social, and psychological) in the recovery process. You also consider current societal influences that impact the onset, recognition, and recovery process for eating disorders and somatic symptom disorders.

Paper For Above instruction

Eating disorders and somatic symptom disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by profound mind-body interactions, which significantly impact the individual's physical health, psychological well-being, and social functioning. These disorders often demand a multidisciplinary approach to effectively support recovery and address underlying causes and consequences. Understanding the nuances of these conditions, their societal influences, treatment strategies, and the importance of an interprofessional team is essential for social workers engaged in supporting affected individuals.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, involve abnormal attitudes toward food and body image, often accompanied by severe weight and nutritional concerns. Societal standards emphasizing thinness and beauty have historically contributed to the development and perpetuation of these disorders. The media's portrayal of idealized body images, social media influences, and peer pressures can intensify body dissatisfaction, especially among adolescents and young adults (Perloff, 2014). These external societal forces often serve as precipitating factors for eating disorders, particularly in high-income, industrialized nations where aesthetic ideals dominate cultural narratives.

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) involves persistent somatic complaints that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life, with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Unlike primary medical conditions, SSD's symptoms are often disproportionate to any medical findings. Individuals with SSD tend to be highly sensitized to bodily sensations, frequently preoccupied with their health and experiencing high levels of anxiety about their symptoms (Kashdan et al., 2014). Societal factors, such as access to health information online and cultural attitudes toward illness, influence how individuals interpret and respond to bodily sensations.

The recovery process for both types of disorders involves addressing biological, psychological, and social factors through integrated treatment approaches. For eating disorders, evidence-based interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy, and nutritional rehabilitation demonstrate efficacy (Treasure et al., 2015). Similarly, SSD benefits from cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly interventions targeting health anxiety and maladaptive beliefs about illness (Vitol et al., 2017).Medication management may be incorporated when comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety are present.

An effective treatment plan necessitates interprofessional collaboration among mental health professionals, physicians, dietitians, and social workers. For example, a psychiatrist or psychologist can provide psychotherapy, a nutritionist can address dietary concerns, and primary care physicians monitor physiological health. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care, reduces the risk of medical complications, and improves treatment adherence (de Zwaan et al., 2014). Engaging family members in therapy may foster supportive environments that promote healthy behaviors and enhance recovery outcomes.

The social and cultural context also profoundly influences both disorders. Cultural norms regarding body image, health beliefs, and gender roles affect how individuals perceive and respond to their symptoms. For instance, in some cultures, emphasizing thinness may contribute to the development of eating disorders, while other cultures might stigmatize mental health treatment, delaying help-seeking (Haines et al., 2017). Gender disparities exist, with females disproportionately affected, possibly due to societal pressures related to gendered aesthetic standards.

Disparities related to socioeconomic status can influence access to healthcare resources, increasing vulnerability among marginalized populations. Additionally, online cultures and social media exacerbate exposure to idealized images, influencing body dissatisfaction and health preoccupations (Perloff, 2014). Recognizing these influences allows social workers to tailor interventions that are culturally sensitive and accessible, promoting equitable care.

Overall, addressing eating and somatic symptom disorders requires a biopsychosocial model that emphasizes early intervention, social support, cultural competence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Educating clients and families about the nature of these conditions, fostering resilience, and challenging societal stereotypes are vital components of comprehensive care. By integrating these strategies, social workers can facilitate meaningful recovery trajectories and improve quality of life for individuals affected by these challenging disorders.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
• de Zwaan, M., Meule, A., & Casper, J. (2014). Eating disorders and obesity: treatment challenges and opportunities. Clinical psychology: Science and practice, 21(3), 307-319.
• Haines, J., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P. J., & Robinson, T. N. (2017). Keys to body image: A review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(4), 369-375.
• Kashdan, T. B., McKnight, P. E., & Fincham, F. D. (2014). Every pain has a meaning: Identification of cognitive-behavioral correlates of somatic complaints. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(12), 1188-1198.
• Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social Media Use and Body Image Disturbance: The Mediating Role of Internalization and Social Comparison. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(11), 693-699.
• Treasure, J., Stein, D., & Ward, A. (2015). The impact of early intervention in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review. European Eating Disorders Review, 23(4), 285-297.
• Vitol, D., Uher, R., & Mors, O. (2017). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for somatic symptom disorder: A review of recent treatments. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(8), 1042-1054.