Eating disorders Flashcards
What are the diagnostic criteria associated with anorexia nervosa?
Body Mass Index 17.5 or less
Self-induced weight loss: strict dieting, vomiting, excessive exercise, medication
Body image disturbance
Fear of fatness
Amenorrhoea or other endocrine disturbance e.g. delayed onset of puberty
Who is generally affected by anorexia nervosa?
Caucasian, young adult females Higher social class Above average intelligence
What is the average age of onset of anorexia?
18
What is the average age of onset of bulimia?
20
What is the ratio of female:males affected by anorexia?
10:1
How can behaviours of weight loss be classed?
Restrictive
Purgative
What are examples of restrictive weight loss?
Reduced intake
Using appetite suppression
What are examples of purgative weight loss?
Excess exercise
Taking laxatives
Medication e.g. thyroxine, diuretics
What are some of the features associated with anorexia outwith the diagnostic criteria?
Dehydration Muscle wasting Lanugo hair Anaemia Cold, blue peripheries Bradycardia Hypotension Bruising Dry skin
What are the two key elements of bulimia nervosa?
Binging
Purging
What is the binging element of bulimia?
Preoccupation with food leading to loss of control i.e. eating an abnormal amount of food in a short space of time
What effects does starvation have on the brain?
Loss of grey and white matter, brain atrophy
Increased compulsive behaviour
Enhanced response to hedonic and nutrostat signals
Reduced social skills
Focus on food
Poor concentration, memory and decision making
New learning stunted
Hypothalamic dysfunction
What are some of the mood changes associated with anorexia?
Initially elated mood due to ‘successful’ weight loss
Later, low mood
What are some of the mood changes associated with bulimia?
Low mood
What should a patient be diagnosed with if exhibiting binging and purging behaviour with weight loss?
Anorexia
