Eating Disorders Flashcards
what is anorexia nervosa
a syndrome in which the person maintains a low body weight as a result of a preoccupation with weight, construed as either a fear of fatness or a pursuit of thinness
what is bulimia nervosa
characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and compensatory behaviour (any one or a combination of vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise) in order to prevent weight gain
what are a typical eating disorders
closely resemble anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but do not meet the precise diagnostic criteria for them, for example binge eating disorder where individuals engage in uncontrollable episodes of binge eating, but do not use compensatory purging behaviours
what is more common anorexia or bulimia
bulimia
what are the non specific symptoms of an eating disorder
example fatigue, dizziness, or lack of energy, or physical complications associated with starvation, purging, and vomiting
what are the diagnostic characteristics of anorexia nervosa
Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight
Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain
Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
what are the behavoural effects of anorexia
Excessive exercise and/or food restriction
Secretive behaviour surrounding eating or exercise
Overly sensitive to references about weight or appearance
Obsessive interest in cooking or preparing food for others
Refusal to eat in the presence of others
Aggressive when forced to eat “forbidden foods”
Self harm
Substance abuse
Suicide attempts
About 40 per cent of people with Anorexia Nervosa will later develop Bulimia Nervosa.
what are some of the physical effects of anorexia
Dry skin Dry or chapped lips Poor circulation resulting in pins and needles and/or purple extremities Headaches Brittle fingernails Bruising easily Frail appearance Endocrine disorder leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhoea) Decreased libido; impotence in males Reduced metabolism Abnormally slow heart rate Low blood pressure Hypotension Hypothermia Anaemia (iron deficiency)
what are the psychological effects of anorexia
Distorted body image
Self-evaluation based largely or entirely in terms of weight and appearance
Pre-occupation or obsessive thoughts about food and weight
Refusal to accept that one’s weight is dangerously low despite warnings from family, friends and/or health professionals
Low self esteem
Mood swings
Clinical depression
Withdrawal from interpersonal relationships in favour of social isolation
what are the diagnosis characteristics of bulimia
Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterised by both of the following:
Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode
what are the physical effects of bulimia
Tooth decay
Dehydration
Stomach & intestinal ulcers
Inflammation & rupture of the oesophagus
Irregular or slow heart beat
Heart failure
Erosion of dental enamel from vomiting
Swollen salivary glands
The possibility of a ruptured stomach
Chronic sore throat and gullet
Sore throat, indigestion, heartburn and reflux
Abdominal pain and bloating
Electrolyte imbalance resulting in cardiac arrhythmia, muscle fatigue and cramps
Bowel problems, constipation, diarrhoea, cramps
what are the behavioural effects of bulimia
frequent trips to the bathroom, food avoidance, fluctuations in weight, erratic behaviour, mood swings
what are the psychological effects of bulimia
Difficulties with activities which involve food
Loneliness due to self-imposed isolation and a reluctance to develop personal relationships
Deceptive behaviours relating to food
Fear of the disapproval of others if the illness becomes known
Mood swings, changes in personality, emotional outbursts or depression
Self harm, substance abuse or suicide attempts
Overly sensitive to references about weight or appearance
Guilt, self disgust, self loathing
Anxiety
Depression
what is the scoff questionnaire for diagnosis
Do you ever make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
Do you worry you have lost Control over how much you eat?
Have you recently lost more than One stone in a 3-month period?
Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?
Would you say that Food dominates your life?
what are the risk factors for an eating disorder
body image, low self esteem, perfectionism, adverse life events and difficulties, family factors, socio-cultural factors
