Force Feeding annorexics....a part of treatment?

Annorexia effects approximately 1% of female adolescents. This is not counting males, and adult victims. The mortality rate is also 5% to 8% for this hard to treat disorder. Contrary to many people's beliefs; annorexia is a mental illnes..it is not a product of vanity or the victim being shallow.

This brings me to the point of the debate. It is found that many patients who undergo treatment are force fed through nago-gastric tubes. Normally medical treatment cannot be administered without a patient's consent but people with mental illness are not considered to be able to make the proper judgements.

In one way; I can see how this would help for someone who absolutely refuses to eat. But I see this as more problematic rather than beneficial.

For instance; people with annorexia and bulimia fear gaining weight, and fear not being in control of what goes into their bodies. Thus if they expect to get force fed, they will be less likely to seek treatment. And thus increasing the mortality rate for this dangerous disorder.

Also, force feeding is a very short term solution to the problem and does not treat the underlying medical and mental problems. It does not get rid of the fear of food, weight, and hospital situations.

Lastly, force feeding is risky especailly in someone who is not willingly being force fed. Force feeding can result in a reduction of phosphates in the blood which eventually lead to heart failure.

So basically..I think that if a person is going to undergo naso-gastral feeding it should only be done with their consent.

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