Week 7 Flashcards
What is an eating disorder?
A condition characterised by disturbances of eating behaviours and obsessions and/or concerns with food, eating & body image.
Who is more likely to develop an eating disorder?
It is more prevalent in western society and are more likely to occur with women. It can occur at any age from children to the elderly.
Is being on regular diets a sign of having an eating disorder?
No
What can physically happen to someone if they experience an eating disorder?
Neurological effects
Skin effects
Dental effects
Musculoskeletal effects
Endocrine effects
Kidney dysfunction
Cardiovascular effects
Can someone with an eating disorder develop other mental illnesses?
The most comorbidity linked to eating disorders are anxiety & depression.
Is there any particular medications that is used to help treat an Eating Disorder?
Yes, both antidepressants and anxiolytics can help with reducing the compulsion thoughts surrounding fasting & frequency of disturbed eating behaviours such as binge-eating or vomiting.
Is there any therapies that can help someone experiencing an eating disorder?
Yes, as recovery from an eating disorder is a long process, individual and/or group therapies can be essential.
What is a strengths-based approach?
A strengths-based approach moves the focus away from deficits of people living with a mental illness/disorder and focuses on the strengths and resources of the consumers.
What happens in a strengths-based approach?
- A focus on individual strengths rather than pathology, diagnosis or labels
- Viewing the community as abundant in resources
- Interventions that are based on client self-determination
- The primary and essential nature of the manager-client relationship
- Aggressive outreach as the preferred mode of intervention
- A belief that people can learn, grow and change
Is strengths-based approach linked to recovery?
YES! Remember that recovery is a process by which people make sense of their illness and helps them in finding meaning and purpose in their lives.
What are some common strengths of people?
Internal Resources
- Qualities & Personal Characteristics
- Interests & Aspirations
- Talents & Skills
External Resources
· Family & Friends / Carer Network
· Material Resources
· Community Resources
Why do we need to talk about physical health with mental health?
There is substantial evidence in Australia and internationally that the risk factors for chronic physical diseases are higher among people living with severe and persistent mental illness when compared to the general population.
What physical health risks are most concerning?
Often referred to as Metabolic Syndrome, there is a cluster of different risks including:
Obesity
Hypertension
Dyslipidaemia
Impaired fasting glucose or diabetes
How common is Metabolic Syndrome for those living with a mental illness?
Up to four times greater risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome than the general population.
What exactly increases the risk of Metabolic Syndrome?
The use of psychotropic medications (especially antipsychotics & antidepressants)
