Anorexia: Features and Symptoms

Question 1

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 1

• An eating disorder that is characterised by fear of gaining weight or having a strong desire to be thin
• People with anorexia often have a distorted body image by thinking they’re overweight when they’re not, they have strict diets or exercise excessively

Question 2

What is a feature?

Answer 2

The general information of the disorder, such as age of onset and most vulnerable gender.

Question 3

What are 5 features of anorexia?

Answer 3

1) 1/20 patients are likely to die from the illness
2) 10x more common in females than males
3) 1/200 women will develop anorexia at least once within their lifetime
4) 85% of patients develop anorexia between 13-18 years old
5) Often linked with stress from life

Question 4

What is a symptom?

Answer 4

Individual behaviours of the patient associated with the disorder.

Question 5

What is a somatic symptom?

Answer 5

A physical symptom of a disorder.

Question 6

List 3 somatic symptoms.

Answer 6

1) Amenorrhea
2) Low blood pressure
3) Hair loss

Question 7

What is a behavioural symptom?

Answer 7

A symptom relating to general actions.

Question 8

List 2 behavioural symptoms.

Answer 8

1) OCD

2) Insomnia

Question 9

What is an emotional symptom?

Answer 9

A symptom that links with feelings as a result of the disorder.

Question 10

List 3 emotional symptoms.

Answer 10

1) Apathy
2) Social withdrawal
3) Depression

Question 11

What is a cognitive symptom?

Answer 11

A symptom involved with thoughts and cognition.

Question 12

List 2 cognitive symptoms.

Answer 12

1) Lower concentration levels

2) Body dysmorphia

Question 13

List the 4 criteria that the DSM-IV uses for diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.

Answer 13

1) Refusal to maintain healthy body weight
2) intense fear of gaining weight
3) Disturbed perception of body
4) Amenorrhea