anorexia - symptoms and features

Question 1

what is anorexia?

Answer 1

• eating disorder manifested when a person refuses to eat the adequate amount of food for their BMI
• often leads to a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight

Question 2

what are some of the diagnostic criteria for anorexia?

Answer 2

• refusal to maintain bodyweight at or above minimally normal weight for age and height
• intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
• body dysmorphia

Question 3

what is the restricting type of anorexia?

Answer 3

• during the current episode of An the person hasn’t regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging

Question 4

what is the binge eating - purging type of anorexia?

Answer 4

• can include behaviours such as self induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives

Question 5

what are the main symptoms of anorexia?

Answer 5

• not eating
• deliberately losing weight
• food an important focus in life
• underweight and can become dangerously underweight

Question 6

what is a somatic symptom of anorexia?

Answer 6

• weight loss (below 85% of BMI)
• arrhythmia

Question 7

what is a behavioural symptom of anorexia?

Answer 7

• decreased concentration
• difficulty sleeping and fatigue

Question 8

what is an emotional symptom of anorexia?

Answer 8

• intense fear of weight gain
• low self esteem
• depression

Question 9

what are some possible health complications linked with anorexia?

Answer 9

• problems with muscles and bones e.g. osteoporosis
• fertility problems
• problems with heart and blood vessels e.g. poor circulation

Question 10

what is the prevelance of anorexia?

Answer 10

• between 1.25 and 3.4 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, more common in western cultures
• around 25% are male

Question 11

what is the onset of anorexia?

Answer 11

• most develop during adolescence
• individuals with anorexic family members are more likely to develop the disorder compared to families with no history
• 95% between the age 12-29

Question 12

what is the prognosis and mortality of anorexia?

Answer 12

• highest mortality rate of psychiatric disorders
• earlier it is caught the better chance of recovery
• 1/20 who are treated die
• between 20 and 43% have suicidal intentions