Eating disorders Flashcards
What are the 3 main eating disorders?
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulemia nervosa
- Binge eating disorder
What is the DSM-5 classification for anorexia nervosa?
- Restriction of energy intake
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Disturbance in how one’s body is experienced
What are the two types of anorexia nervosa?
- Restricted type
- Binge eating/purging type
Name 4 physiological symptoms of anorexia nervosa
- dry skin and brittle hair
- tiredness, low blood pressure and slow heartbeat
- lanugo
- absence of menstrual cycles
What 3 disorders often co-occur with anorexia?
- Major depression
- OCD
What are the characteristics of bulimia nervosa?
- fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image
- periods of binge eating followed by periods of fasting or purging
- 90% female
How is a binge-eating disorder characterised?
recurrent episodes of binge eating, but without associated fasting and purging
What brain area is associated with eating disorders?
Lateral hypothalamus lesioning leads to self starvation
How might endogenous opioids act as a reinforcer?
- Body releases them to combat starvation pain
- Can give feeling of euphoria
What neurochemical dysfunction is associated with anorexia?
As related to OCD could be lack of serotonin regulation
What dispositional factors are associated with AN?
- disturbed introceptive awareness
- perfectionism
What are the 4 main treatments for eating disorders?
- pharmacological (antidepressants - limited success)
- family therapy
- prevention programme
- cognitive behavioural therapy
