6/23 - Psychology of Eating Disorders

Question 1

Anorexia Nervosa Presentation

Answer 1

• Refusal to maintain normal
body weight

• Intense fear of “becoming
fat”

• Denial of impact of low
weight; use of weight to
determine happiness/selfesteem;
disturbed view of
shape/weight

Question 2

Character traits of those with Anorexia

Answer 2

• Pride and a sense of “specialness”

• Effortfulness (hard work required to sustain
symptoms)

• Competitiveness

Question 3

2 major comordities to consider with Anorexia

Answer 3

PTSD and Substance Abuse

Question 4

Bulimia Nervosa Presentation

Answer 4

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating

• Recurrent inappropriate compensatory
behavior to prevent weight gain

• The binge eating and inappropriate behavior
both occur, on average, at least 1x a week
for 3 months

• Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body
shape and weight

• The disturbance does not occur exclusively
during episodes of anorexia nervosa

Question 5

Define Binge Eating

Answer 5

An episode of binge eating is
characterized by both of the following:

• Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g.,
within any 2-hour period), an amount of food
that is objectively larger than the average
person would eat
and

• A sense of lack of control over
eating during the episode (e.g., a
feeling that one cannot stop eating

Question 6

Comorbitities of Bulimia

Answer 6

Substance abuse and PTSD

Question 7

Interesting physical signs of Bulimia

Answer 7

• Mouth sores (perimylolysis)
• Knuckle Calluses (Russell’s Sign)
• Lanugo (fine, soft hair)

Question 8

Gold standard medication for Bulimia

Answer 8

Fluoxetine

Question 9

What is Binge Eating Disorder

Answer 9

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating

• Episodes are associated with at least 3
behavioral indicators of loss of control (e.g.,
eating fast, until uncomfortably full, feeling sick)

• No regular use of compensatory behaviors
• Marked distress regarding binge eating

• Binge eating occurs, on average, at least
1x a week for 3 months

• Does not occur only during the course of
anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa

Question 10

What makes Binge Eating Disorder so bad (I know, guess what I’m thinking)

Answer 10

• Greater caloric consumption, more chaotic
eating habits

• Higher levels of eating disorder
psychopathology

• Elevated rates of psychiatric comorbidity

• More impairment in work, social functioning,
and overall quality of life