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Leanne is underweight and has experienced amenorrhea associated with anorexia nervosa. Despite this, when she looks in the mirror she sees herself as overweight and flabby. This situation best illustrates?

1) underlying physical illness
2) cognitive distortion
3) fatigue
4) realistic perfectionism

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The description of Leanne's perception of her body as overweight and flabby despite being underweight and experiencing amenorrhea due to anorexia nervosa is an illustration of cognitive distortion, a key symptom of this eating disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anorexia Nervosa and Cognitive Distortion

Leanne's situation, in which she is underweight and has experienced amenorrhea associated with anorexia nervosa, yet sees herself as overweight, best illustrates a mental health challenge known as cognitive distortion. This is a typical characteristic of anorexia nervosa, where the individual's perception of their body is distorted. They fail to recognize their own thinness, which is a serious symptom of this eating disorder and indicates a distorted body image or body dysmorphia. It is a psychological issue rather than a physical illness, and it does not accurately reflect fatigue or perfectionism. Therefore, option 2, cognitive distortion, is the appropriate answer to this question.

Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. People with this disorder restrict their food intake to the point of starvation, in an obsessive fear of weight gain. Despite being severely underweight, they continue to see themselves as overweight due to a distorted self-image. This can lead to serious physical complications, including bone loss, heart and kidney failure, as well as psychological issues such as anxiety and mood disorders.

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