Is addiction a disease or not Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Is addiction a disease or not - Essay Example 1). Saah, on the other hand, provided the meaning of the term as â€Å"a personality disorder, (which) may also be seen as a worldwide epidemic with evolutionary genetic, physiological, and environmental influences controlling this behavior† (Saah: Introduction par. 1). The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) presented its meaning as â€Å"a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences† (NIDA par. 1). These definitions have disparities in terms of identifying addiction as a state of dependence, which is a behavioral or personality condition; as contrasted to it being identified as a disease of the brain. The aim of the current discourse is to determine whether addiction is a disease or just an extreme form of learning. Background and Review of Literature The history of having diagnosed addiction as an abnormal condition was noted to have originated from the 1800s where doctors allegedly worke d with patients, identified to have been diagnosed with alcoholism and drug addiction, as confined in private sanitariums (Origins Recovery Centers). Only in 1934 was it disclosed that a particular doctor, Dr. William D. Silkworth, had apparently revolutionized finding appropriate and effective treatment for addiction through the establishment and close link of working and being supported by a group of committed individuals. As noted, â€Å"it was the doctor’s belief that an addict has both mental and physical abnormalities† (Origins Recovery Centers par. 5). At this stage, addiction has already been identified complex in terms of containing mental, as well as physical abnormalities; components which were separately identified in definitions noted above. From the study written by Sussman and Sussman, the authors explored the various definitions of addiction. Accordingly, the authors included â€Å"elements of addiction derived from a literature search that uncovered 5 2 studies include: (a) engagement in the behavior to achieve appetitive effects, (b) preoccupation with the behavior, (c) temporary satiation, (d) loss of control, and (e) suffering negative consequences† (Sussman and Sussman 4025). The authors have likewise uncovered the date of origin of examining addiction cases to the 1700s from the study written by Meyer entitled â€Å"The disease called addiction: Emerging evidence in a 200-year debate† (Sussman and Sussman 4036). On the contrary, addiction was emphasized that it was not at all a disease but instead, an extreme form of learning. Lewis contended that other emotions, such as love, also alter the brain; yet, not called a disease. He argued that â€Å"physical changes in the brain are its only way to learn, to remember, and to develop. But we wouldn’t want to call learning a disease† (Lewis par. 9). To this, he aptly concluded that â€Å"addiction (whether to drugs, food, gambling, or whatever) doesnâ⠂¬â„¢t fit a specific physiological category. Rather, I see addiction as an extreme form of normality, if one can say such a thing. Perhaps more precisely: an extreme form of learning. No doubt addiction is a frightening, often horrible, state to endure, whether in oneself or in one’s loved ones. But that doesn’t make it a disease† (Lewis par. 11). Analysis of the Definition of Addiction and Confirmation From the definitions that were provided, one affirmed that these

Binge Eating Disorders - treatment programmes, specific clinical Essay

Binge Eating Disorders - treatment programmes, specific clinical issues - Essay Example In case of adults, it is possible for them to spend money and get surgeries done to reduce the flab from their bodies. However, for children, spending money on plastic surgeries is not possible and hence, they are forced to adopt harmful eating behavior to get in perfect shape. Moreover, the pressure from families makes it difficult for them to find a support at home (Graber, Archibald, Brooks-Gunn,1999, p.52). In fact, according to Taylor et al (2006), the development of eating disorder occurs due to negative comments regarding physical aspects, made by parents and family members (Dosil, 2008, p. 47). Hence, the only option that children and adolescents have is to indulge in drastic steps of weight loss like dieting, binging, using laxatives, skipping meals etc. It not only develops the eating disorder in them but also makes them lose their self-esteem, confidence and trust in self and people around them, as parents tease them and siblings laugh at them (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.313) . However, the factor that plays a major role in development of eating disorder is the unusual and rigid functioning style of the family. Hence, if the eating disorder is to be eradicated completely, then the families need to show unconditional regard, emotional support and total acceptance of children as it is their outlook which makes children to develop confidence in their personal and social image, and achieve happiness and success in life. Definition Eating disorder is a general term used to describe two types of eating disorders known as the anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.311). American Psychiatric Association defines anorexia nervosa as a disorder in which a person has a disturbed body image perception which develops intense fear of gaining weight and refusal to maintain a normal body weight (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.311). In bulimia nervosa, people evaluate themselves on the basis of body shape and weight which leads to episodes of uncontrolled binge eating and inappropriate behavior like self induced vomiting and misuse of laxatives to maintain weight (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.312). The studies in the past 25 years, including that of Kog and Vandereycken (1985) and Wonderlich (1992), have found family relationships and communication patterns as consistent factors in the development of eating disorders (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.312). Eating disorders can be developed due to multiple destructive family functioning styles and structures (Segrin & Flora, 2005, p.312).This clearly shows that eating disorder is not just a physiological problem but has its roots in psychological and emotional aspects of a person. Hence, eating disorder is a psychosomatic disorder. Nature Of The Disorder Eating disorder is not a physical disorder completely. It has its roots in the social and personal perception of the body. Most of the times, the desire to get the body shape and weight to fit with the expectations of others, makes young adolescent s to develop eating disorder. It is not just a physical problem but has its roots in the mind and the soul of a person and hence, it is psychosomatic in nature. Psychosomatic illness is an illness which has its roots in the psychological problems that a person is experiencing (Minuchin, Rosman & Baker, 1978, p.13). Dunbar had noted that certain diseases are a result of certain personality traits in human beings and hence, according to him, it was