First Aid: Eating Disorders Flashcards
What are the 2 main divisions of anorexia nervosa?
Restrictive type
Binge eating/purging type
What are characteristics of the restrictive type of anorexia nervosa?
Eat very little
May vigorously exercise
Withdrawn
OCD traits
What are characteristics of the binge eating/purging type of anorexia nervosa?
- Eat in binges followed by purging, laxatives, excessive exercise and/or diuretics
- Associated with increased incidence of major depression and substance abuse
What is the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa?
- Body weight at least 15% below normal
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
- Disturbed body image
- Amenorrhea
What is lanugo?
fine body hair (complication of anorexia nervosa)
What is melanosis coli?
darkened area of colon 2/2 laxative abuse
What are other complications of anorexia nervosa?
- Electrolyte imbalances (hypochloremic hyperkalemic alkalosis)
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Arrhythmias
- Leukopenia
- Osteoporosis
What is the gender differences with anorexia nervosa?
Women 10-20X more common
What is the prevalence of anorexia nervosa?
occurs in 4% of adolescents and young adults
When does anorexia nervosa usually start?
between 10 and 30
How might you tell the difference between someone who is thin due to anorexia nervosa versus someone who is thin due to MDD?
- anorexia nervosa patients have good appetite but starve themselves (usually preoccupied with food)
- MDD patients usually have poor appetite and have no interest in food
What is the differential diagnosis for anorexia nervosa?
- Cancer (or other medical condition)
- MDD
- Bulimia
- Somatization d/o
- Schizophrenia
What is the mortality rate for anorexia nervosa?
10% (starvation, suicide, or electrolyte disturbance)
When should someone with anorexia nervosa be treated on an inpatient basis?
when they are 20% below ideal body weight should be hospitalized
What is the treatment for anorexia nervosa?
- Family therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Supervised weight gain programs
- Antidepressants like paroxetine or mirtazapine (promote weight gain)