Eating Disorders - A Struggle with Food

Question 1

Anorexia Nervosa

Answer 1

Extreme weight loss; fear of fat; body image distortion.
Binge-eating-purging type.

Question 2

Restricting Type

Answer 2

Food intake; The amount of food that is taken in.

Question 3

Bulimia Nervosa

Answer 3

Binge (loss of control); Purge/Compensation (regain control).
Without extreme weight loss.
Body shape/appearance is very important.

Question 4

Explain Purging.

Answer 4

Causing yourself to vomit, using an over-excessive amount of laxatives.

Question 5

Explain Compensation.

Answer 5

Not eating for long periods of time, excessive exercise.

Question 6

Explain Binge-eating.

Answer 6

Recurrent episodes with loss of control and distress.
No compensatory action.

Question 7

Explain the biological etiology.

Answer 7

• Twin studies reveal a genetic influence.
  — MZ concordance is higher than DZ.
• Implication of endogenous opioids.
  — Starving and Exercise = High levels.
• Eating and Satiety neurotransmitters.
  — Serotonin produces satiety; food restriction lowers serotonin.
  — Anorexic and Bulimic patients with low Serotonin.
  — SSRI’s are sometimes effective treatments.
  —– Interacts with comorbid depression.
  — Dopamine and food salience.
  —– Needs further investigation.

Question 8

Explain the Social/Culture/Gender etiology.

Answer 8

• Emphasis on thinness as positive attribute.
  — First impressions, e.g.
• Unrealistic expectations of thinness.
  — What women think, what men prefer.
  — Stereotypes about overweight women.
  — Expectations of physical appearance for women.
  —– Gender differences in status evaluation.

Question 9

What is the psychological aspect for people who suffer from eating disorders?

Answer 9

Compliant, inhibited, perfectionist.
Control/restraint issues.
Neuroticism, anxiety, self-esteem.
Social perfectionism.
Low interoceptive awareness.
Fear of fat and reinforcement of weight loss.
Low self-esteem (binge), anxiety (purge).
Body image disturbance.

Question 10

What are treatments that people can receive if they suffer from Anorexia?

Answer 10

Hospitalization with behavioral therapy.
Weight gain is the first goal.
Family or interpersonal therapy.

Question 11

What are treatments that people can receive if they suffer from Bulimia/Binge Eating?

Answer 11

Cognitive (modify disordered thinking).
Interpersonal (address underlying issues).
SSRIs can be effective (bulimia only); high drop out rate.

Question 12

What are some preventions that can occur?

Answer 12

Early interactions/education with young women.