Davis 1Anorexia nervosa is defined as the refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight, as well as a disturbance in the perception of body shape and weight (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). In this article we will examine Carolyn Costin's battle with anorexia nervosa from a biopsychosocial perspective and what empowered her disorder. This will be followed by using the DSM-IV-TR diagnostically in Carolyn's case and using the sociocultural dimension conceptually. The implications for both Carolyn, her social and cultural context, and society at large will be addressed. The article will then conclude with effective treatments for anorexia nervosa and why we should care about the disorder. The biological dimension of Carolyn's eating disorder includes observing her first-degree relatives, more specifically females, for a pattern of abnormal eating behaviors. In Carolyn's family perhaps a genetic contribution made her vulnerable and the changes her body was going through during puberty may have contributed to the development of anorexia nervosa. Other factors to consider are that perhaps Carolyn's hypothalamus, which controls her eating behavior, contributed to her abnormal eating patterns, as well as high levels of dopamine in her brain that may have decreased her desire to eat. Research has shown that perhaps there is a relationship between people with eating disorders having a shorter dopamine transporter train than people who don't. In Carolyn's case, she may have a shorter dopamine transport train and for this reason has a less appetizing reaction towards food than someone who does not suffer from an eating disorder. Finally, Carolyn's changing eating patterns may have changed the amount of... middle of paper.... Finally, the impact eating disorders have on the individual, family and friends is another reason why we should worry about it. Davis 6One of my best friends struggled with anorexia nervosa, and after receiving treatment at Remuda Ranch in Arizona, she was able to recover from her eating disorder and now maintains a healthy weight and lifestyle. perspective and what reinforced his disorder. We then explored Carolyn's battle with her eating disorder using DSM-IV-TR criteria and conceptually using the sociocultural dimension. Implications for both Carolyn, her social and cultural context, and society at large were discussed. Finally, we covered effective treatments for anorexia nervosa and why we should care about this disorder.