Eating Disorders

Question 1

What are the different types of eating disorders and their common symptoms and behaviours?

Answer 1

Anorexia nervosa: decreased intake and compensation, cold intolerance, excessive exercise, constipation, bloating, delayed puberty, amenorrhea, dry skin, hypotension, fainting, hair loss, languo hair, early satiety, weakness, fatigue, short, osteopenia/osteoporosis

Bulimia nervosa: binge eating and compensation, mouth sores, pharyngeal trauma, dental caries, heartburn, Chet pain, oesophageal rupture, impulsivity, cramps, weakness, bloody diarrhoea, irregular periods, fainting, swollen parotid, hypotension

Binge eating disorder: binge eating with no compensation, unusually fast eating, alone when eating, large amounts, uncomfortably full “buzzed”, embarrassment, shame, depression, guilt

Question 2

What are some of the predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors contributing to the onset of eating disorders?

Answer 2

Predisposing: unstable early life, bullying, genetics, perinatal factors, life events and trauma

Precipitating: relationship breakdowns, puberty, dieting or non deliberate weight loss, increased exercise, stress

Perpetuating: decreased central coherence, narrow focus of interest, emotionless, risk of depression etc, loss of interest in sex, relationships, social interaction, physical consequences eg starvation, purging

Question 3

What are some evidence based treatments for the management of different eating disorders?

Answer 3

Refeeding 
CBTED, mantra, SSCM, CBT
Interpersonal therapy
Fluoxetine (or any HIGH dose antidepressant)
Olanzapine
Specialised family work

Question 4

What is a motivational approach and externalising the disorder?

Answer 4

X

Question 5

How is the risk of death and irreversible physical damage appropriately managed?

Answer 5

Specialty centre care

• diagnosis not accusation
• patience and urgency
• empowerment of the patient