EATING DISORDERS

Question 1

What are the hallmark features of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder?

Answer 1

A: All involve disrupted eating patterns and distorted body image. Anorexia features extreme food restriction and low body weight; bulimia involves binge-purge cycles; binge-eating includes overeating without purging

Question 2

Q2: How does distorted body image contribute to eating disorders?

Answer 2

A: Individuals with eating disorders overvalue thinness and often evaluate self-worth based on weight and shape. This leads to anxiety over weight gain and drives maladaptive behaviors like restriction or purging​
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Question 3

Q3: What is CBT-E, and how is it used to treat eating disorders?

Answer 3

A: CBT-E (Enhanced CBT) is a transdiagnostic, evidence-based treatment targeting shared maintaining factors of all eating disorders.

It addresses distorted beliefs about weight/shape, dietary restraint, and mood intolerance. It’s the preferred treatment for bulimia and effective in anorexia post-weight restoration​

Question 4

Q4: Why is nutritional rehabilitation crucial in treating anorexia nervosa?

Answer 4

A: Restoring weight is essential to reverse the effects of starvation, such as brain atrophy and hormonal dysregulation. Weight gain must precede psychological therapy for CBT-E to be effective​
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Question 5

Q5: What are common medical consequences of bulimia nervosa?

Answer 5

A: These include electrolyte imbalance (leading to cardiac/kidney failure), dental erosion, salivary gland swelling, and GI issues due to purging behaviors​

Question 6

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Q6: How effective are antidepressants (SSRIs) in treating eating disorders?

Answer 6

A: SSRIs are helpful, particularly in bulimia nervosa, where they reduce bingeing and purging episodes. However, medication alone is less effective than combined with CBT

Question 7

Q8: What defines somatic symptom disorder in DSM-5?

Answer 7

A: It involves one or more distressing physical symptoms with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to them. The focus is on psychological distress rather than the symptom’s medical basis​
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Question 8

Q9: How do psychological factors impact physical symptoms in somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 8

A: Anxiety, preoccupation, and excessive attention to symptoms exacerbate suffering and impairment, regardless of medical explanations​
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Question 9

Q10: What distinguishes somatic symptom disorder from illness anxiety disorder?

Answer 9

A: In somatic symptom disorder, symptoms are present and distressing. In illness anxiety disorder, symptoms are minimal or absent, but the individual is preoccupied with fears of illness​

Question 10

Q11: What is the treatment approach for somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 10

A: CBT is the most effective. It helps reduce health anxiety, reassures without reinforcing symptoms, and targets maladaptive beliefs and behaviors​
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Question 11

Q12: Can SSRIs be used for somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 11

A: Yes, especially when there is comorbid depression or anxiety. SSRIs can help reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life​