D#9 H#4

Toulman Outline

Project’s Claim: Controversial Treatment of AnorexiaReason

#1: Self-Help-Group Support

• Warrant/Principle: People who are motivated and disciplined can overcome this disease. o Backing: If you set your mind to do something one can achieve almost anything. Support groups are a big help with this method.

• Evidence #1: Support Groups are there to support and encourage sufferers when they are going through rough times. o Warrant/Principle: Individuals in the groups find that they can bounce ideas off of one another, get objective feedback about body image, and gain an increasing amount of support.

Backing: The support of others is a powerful thing.

Objection: People who suffer from this disease shouldn’t be looking to anyone other than medical doctors.

Rebuttal: People have cured many things without doctors: drug abuse, alcoholism, disease, and even cancer. The important thing is that you are well informed about the complexities of what you are trying to cure.

• Evidence #2: The support and encouragement of others gives us hope when we are struggling through difficult situations.

Reason #2: Hospitalization• Warrant/Principle: When medical complications occur, the best idea is to seek hospitalization.

Objection: What can the doctors do for you if you don’t want help?

Rebuttal: Hospitalization may not cure anorexia, but if a sufferer is experiencing severe complications the medical doctors usually can help keep you alive.

• Warrant/Principle: Issues such as heart irregularities, dehydration, and severe malnutrition can be fixed by doctors and nurses.

Backing: A patient would be under constant watch. This would insure that if any other complications occurred that they would be able to receive treatment immediately.

Objection: Anorexia isn’t that big of an issue. One can get over it without seeking medical help.

Rebuttal: Anorexia is considered to be the most severe of any mental disorder. Anorexia has the highest death rate over any other mental illness.

• Evidence #1: WebMD stated that anorexia has the highest death rate. o Warrant/Principle: The results of studies are to be trusted and valued over mere opinion.

Objection: What was your methodology for conducting this study?

Rebuttal: This study has been observed by doctors and psychologists since the beginning of anorexia. (Over thirty years ago.) Doctors and psychologists have more experience with the disease and those afflicted with it than anyone else.

• Evidence #2: Heart irregularities and severe malnutrition are issues that need to be addressed right away.o Warrant/Principle: Professionals have the most experience with this issue. When the issue becomes this severe it is not wise to try and fix it on your own. Once you receive adequate treatment and aren’t in such danger then go ahead and try to overcome the problem.

Reason #3: Psychotherapy

• Warrant/Principle: Individual, family, or group therapy all tend to be beneficial.o Backing: Family therapy can help solve conflicts that may be part of the cause for someone to be anorexic.

• Evidence #1: Many anorexics are driven to anorexia due to a stressful environment, divorce, or other stressful matters. o Objection: A person still can choose whether or not they want to eat. Stress isn’t the only reason why someone would choose to starve themselves.

Rebuttal: Not having support from family, or feeling unaccepted or wanting to “perfect,” in the eyes of family members can take a serious toll on someone’s mental health.

• Evidence #2: Group Therapy is extremely helpful.

Objection: It is just as beneficial to talk to friend and family.

Rebuttal: Being around a group of people who know what you are going through, and have felt the way you feel is extremely powerful. It gives the person suffering with the disease a sense of acceptance and normality. Often sufferers are seeking acceptance.

• Evidence #3: Individual Therapy

Objection: Why does one need to go to therapy? All the person has to do is start eating again.

Rebuttal: The obsession with one’s own body image is one of the most powerful and difficult to change. It isn’t as easy as saying “just eat something.” The issue goes beyond the physical and becomes psychological.