eating disorders

Question 1

eating disorders

Answer 1

defining characteristic is self worth that is highly influenced by body shape. 3 months of symptoms minimum for diagnosis. women 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with bulimia and anorexia. women 2 times more likely to binge eat.

Question 2

binge-eating disorder

Answer 2

recurrent episodes of binge eating as indicated by 3/5 DSM criteria. 2 main characteristics:
1. amount of food eaten is larger than most people would eat in that situation.
2. sense of lack of control around eating.

Question 3

bulimia nervosa

Answer 3

recurrent episodes of binge eating and recurrent compensatory behaviour to prevent weight gain. excessive influence of weight and shape on self evaluation. experience symptoms at least once per week for 3 months. usually remain within 10% of body weight.

Question 4

anorexia nervosa

Answer 4

must meet 3 criteria for diagnosis:
1. food intake restriction leading to a significant decrease in body weight.
2. intense fear of weight gain, being fat, or persistent behaviour interfering with weight gain.
3. distorted body image, self-worth influenced by body
weight or shape, or lack of recognition of seriousness of low body weight.

usually lose 25-30% body weight. 5% die of starvation within 10 years. suicide common. may adopt extreme diets (different from bulimia where binging and restricting is used to lose weight).

Question 5

eating disorders etiological factors and treatment options

Answer 5

etiological: genetics, low serotonergic activity, runner’s high, culture, views on weight, low sense of control, perfectionism, body dysmorphia, family influences.

treatment: SSRI’s, atypical antipsychotics (for weight gain), CBT, IPT. problems: unlikely to seek treatment, fake agreement with treatment, sometimes weight must be restored first.

Question 6

2 subtypes of anorexia nervosa

Answer 6

1. restricting. severe restriction to type and amount of food eaten, restrictive behaviours, and excessive exercise.
2. binge-eating and/or purging. restrict food intake and binge eating and/or purging behaviours. less lack of control around food than bulimia and more behaviours to lose weight.