*Lecture 16 - Eating Disorders 2: Bulimia Nervosa (BN) Flashcards
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
There are 3 essential features of bulimia nervosa:
- recurrent episodes of binge eating (Criterion A),
- recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain (Criterion B),
- and self-evaluation that is unduly influenced by body shape and weight (Criterion D).
How is an episode of binge eating characterised?
By both
- Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g.,within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.
- A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
What are four examples of inappropriate compensatory behaviours in order to prevent weight gain?
- self-induced vomiting
- misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications
- fasting
- excessive exercise
How long must the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviours both occur for it to meet criteria?
On average, at least oncea week for 3 months
What are the full diagnostic criteria for BN?
A: Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2- hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances. A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
B: Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
C: The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviours both occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.
D: Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
E: The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.
What are the two BN specifiers?
- Remission Status (if appropriate)
- Severity
What are the two remission specifiers for BN?
Specifyif:
In partial remission:After full criteria for bulimia nervosa were previously met, some, but not all, of the criteria have been met for a sustained period of time.
In full remission:After full criteria for bulimia nervosa were previously met, none of the criteria have been met for a sustained period of time.
What is the rating system to specify for severity of BN?
Specifycurrent severity:
The minimum level of severity is based on the frequency of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (see below). The level of severity may be increased to reflect other symptoms and the degree of functional disability.
Mild:An average of 1–3 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.
Moderate:An average of 4–7 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.
Severe:An average of 8–13 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.
Extreme:An average of 14 or more episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.
In what decade was BN first noticed by professionals?
1970s
List five comorbidities of BN?
- substance abuse
- depression
- suicidality
- personality disorders
- anxiety disorders
True or False?
BN is often associated with some kind of childhood sexual assault.
False. But this used to be the belief. E.g. The case of Holly Ramona - whose physician asked her assumingly about childhood sexual assault so she made something up.
Name three different assessments for BN?
Garner and Garfinkel, 1979
(Garner, 2004)
(Cooper and Fairburn, 1987)
Eating Attitudes Test - 26
Eating Disorders Inventory - 3
Eating Disorders Examination
FIX
EDI slide 14
Describe the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE)?
semi-structured interview good reliability and validity comprehensive sensitive to change EDE-Q: self-report questionnaire Has four subscales: Restraint Shape Concern Eating Concern Weight Concern
Which of the 4 subscales of EDE 12.OD does this describe?
restraint over eating avoidance of eating food avoidance dieting rules empty stomach
RESTRAINT
Which of the 4 subscales of EDE 12.OD does this describe?
flat stomach importance of shape preoccupation with shape and weight dissatisfaction with shape fear of weight gain discomfort seeing body avoidance of exposure feelings of fatness
SHAPE CONCERN
Which of the 4 subscales of EDE 12.OD does this describe?
preoccupation with food, eating or calories fear of losing control social eating eating in secret guilt about eating
EATING CONCERN
Which of the 4 subscales of EDE 12.OD does this describe?
importance of weight reaction to prescribed weighing preoccupation with shape and weight dissatisfaction with weight desire to lose weight
WEIGHT CONCERN
According to the EDE 12.OD, what is the RESTRAINT subscale interested in?
restraint over eating avoidance of eating food avoidance dieting rules empty stomach
According to the EDE 12.OD, what is the SHAPE CONCERN subscale interested in?
flat stomach importance of shape preoccupation with shape and weight dissatisfaction with shape fear of weight gain discomfort seeing body avoidance of exposure feelings of fatness
According to the EDE 12.OD, what is the EATING CONCERN subscale interested in?
preoccupation with food, eating or calories fear of losing control social eating eating in secret guilt about eating
According to the EDE 12.OD, what is the WEIGHT CONCERN subscale interested in?
importance of weight reaction to prescribed weighing preoccupation with shape and weight dissatisfaction with weight desire to lose weight
What are some challenges in treatment?
- acceptability
- attrition rates
- clinical effectiveness
- speed of action
- breadth of effects
- durability of effects
- cost-effectiveness
Outline CBT-E in BN?
usually lasts 20 weeks semi-structured problem-oriented concerned with present and future (rather than past) 3 stages of treatment
In CBT-E in BN, what are the aims of stage 1?
to establish a sound therapeutic relationship
to educate the patient about the cognitive view on the maintenance of BN and to explain the need for both behaviour and cognitive change
to establish regular weekly weighing
to educate about body weight regulation, adverse effects of dieting, physical consequences of binge eating, self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse
to reduce the frequency of overeating by introducing a pattern of regular eating and the use of alternative behaviour
to reduce secrecy and enlist the cooperation of friends and relatives
In CBT-E in BN, what are the aims of stage 2?
tackling dieting
enhancing problem-solving skills
addressing concerns about shape and weight
addressing other cognitive distortions
In CBT-E in BN, what are the aims of stage 3?
3 interviews at 2 week intervals
aim is to ensure that progress is maintained
relapse prevention
focus on the maintenance of change
problematic goal of abstinence
awareness of vulnerability factors
maintenance of skills for dealing with high risk situations (e.g. problem-solving)
plan for dealing with setbacks (e.g. construction of a maintenance sheet)