Eating disorders

Question 1

What is the epidemiology of eating disorders?

Answer 1

• Young woman (<22) in developed countries

Question 2

What is the screening tool used to diagnose an eating disorder?

Answer 2

SCOFF

S - Make yourself Sick

C - Lost Control over how much you eat

O - Lost more than One stone in 3 month period

F - Do you believe you are Fat when others say you are thing

F - Does Food dominate your life

Question 3

What are the features of Anorexia Nervosa?

Answer 3

• Restriction of intake to reduce weight
• Rely on compulsory behaviours when food cannot be avoided (vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise)
• BMI 17.5 or < = Anorexic
• Fear of weight gain

Question 4

What symptoms are associated with anorexia nervosa?

Answer 4

1 - Cold intolerance

2 - Blue hands and feet

3 - Primary or secondary amenorrhea

4 - Hypotension

Question 5

What is bulimia nervosa?

Answer 5

• Episodes of binge eating with a sense of loss of control
• Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviour of purging or non-purging type
• Binges and the resulting compensatory behaviour must occur for a minimum of 2 times per week for 3 months

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa?

Answer 6

• Mouth sores
• Pharyngeal trauma
• Dental decay
• Heartburn
• Esophageal rupture
• Impulsivity
• Swollen parotid glands

Question 7

What is the difference between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa?

Answer 7

Binge eating disorder does not have purging behaviours

Question 8

What might an anorexic person do to avoid intake of calories?

Answer 8

1 - Become vegetarian or vegan

2 - Developing dislikes

3 - Eating very slowly

4 - Avoiding parties and social occasions

Question 9

What methods might an anorexic person use to get rif of calories?

Answer 9

1 - Self-induced vomiting

2 - Chewing and spitting out

3 - Overexercise

4 - Overactivity (obsessive housework)

5 - Cooling - opening windows etc.

Question 10

What othe behaviours might someone with an eating disorder display?

Answer 10

1 - Body-checking

2 - Displaying emaciation so as to get shocked attention

3 - Checking pro-anorexia websites

Question 11

What are the consequences of eating disorders?

Answer 11

1 - Psychological consequences

2 - Social consequences

3 - Physical consequences

Question 12

What are the psychological consequences of eating disorders?

Answer 12

1 - Extreme overevaluation of low weight & thin/lean shape

2 - Obsessive weight-losing feels like a solution

3 - Cognitive style shows narrowed focus of interest and reduced central coherence

4 - Unable to interpret emotion

5 - Fail to develop other ways to cope with life stresses

Question 13

What are the physical consequences of eating disorders?

Answer 13

1 - Heart arrythmias (reduced potassium caused by purging behaviours)

2 - Reduced immunity to infections

3 - Anaemia

4 - Bone loss

5 - Fertility problems

Question 14

What are the general categories of causes of eating disorders?

Answer 14

1 - Predisposing

2 - Precipitating

3 - Perpetuating

Question 15

What are thought to be the predisposing factors and likely causes that leads someone to develop anorexia nervosa?

Answer 15

Predisposing factors - Obsessionality

Triggers:

1) Major life events (transitions at school, conflicts, losses, stresses)
2) Puberty
3) Dieting or non-deliberate weight loss
4) Increased exercise

Question 16

What psychiatric disorders are thought to predispose someone anorexia nervosa?

Answer 16

OCD

Anxiety disorders

Question 17

What are some of the perpetuating factors of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 17

1 - Delayed gastric emptying adding to the feeling of fullness

2 - Narrowing of focus (become increasingly focused on food)

3 - Obsessionality

4 - Body checking

Question 18

What is the average recovery time from anorexia nervosa?

Answer 18

6-7 years

Question 19

How is anorexia nervosa treated?

Answer 19

1 - CBT

2 - IPT

3 - Olanzapine

4 - Family work