W11: Eating Disorders Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are eating disorders
They are real life threatening illnesses with potentially fatal consequences they involve extreme emotions, attitudes and Behaviours surrounding weight, food, size and shape
What are the DSM eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Binge eating disorder
Avoidant – restrictive food intake disorder
Other specified feeding or eating disorder
What does the DSMSay about anorexia nervosa
The restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health
Significantly low weight is defined as a weight that is less than minimally normal or for children and adolescents less than normally expected
Intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain, even though it is significantly low weight
 disturbance in the way in which ones body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight
What are the subtypes of anorexia nervosa?
Restricting type
Binge eating/purging type 
What is the restricting type of anorexia nervosa?
During the last 3 months, the individual has not engaged in recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behaviour
What is the binge-eating/purging type of anorexia?
During the last three months the individual has engaged in recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behaviour
Purging adds to the seriousness of effects on health
What are the consequences of anorexia nervosa?
Low blood pressure Heart problems Kidney problems (not enough fluid intake) Gastrointestinal problems Bone mass density declines (not enough vitamins and minerals) Dry skin (open for infection) Brittle nails (not enough calcium) Anaemia (low iron and B12) Hormone changes Hair loss and hair growth (hair growth trying to provide thermal protection) Electrolyte changes Amenorrhea (loss of periods)
Can be life threatening and needs ongoing review as to whether the person needs to go to hospital
In anorexia, there is a baseline for..
When the person is well enough to complete therapy, if they fall below this level they are sent to hospital for medical monitoring
What does the DSM say about bulimia nervosa
Recurrent episodes of binge eating:
- eating in a discrete period of time, and amount of food that is larger than what most individuals would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances
- lack of control over eating during the episodes for example a feeling one cannot stop eating
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain such as self induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, or other medications, fasting or excessive exercise
The binge eating an inappropriate compensatory behaviours occur on average at least once a week for three months
Self evaluation is influenced by body shape and weight
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa
How many episodes of compensatory behaviour make up mild bulimia
1-3 per week
How many episodes of compensatory behaviour make up moderate bulimia
4-7 per week
How many episodes of compensatory behaviour make up severe bulimia
8-13 per week
How many episodes of compensatory behaviour make up extreme bulimia
14 or more per week
The severity of bulimia indicates..
The level of medical monitoring required
What are the consequences of bulimia?
Amenorrhea (loss of periods)
Electrolyte imbalances (leads to heart irregularities)
Dental problems (from recurrent vomiting)
Swollen salivary glands
Gastrointestinal problems (problems with bowel if there is an overuse of laxatives)
Reduced bone density
What does the DSM say about binge eating disorder?
Recurrent episodes of binge eating
- eating in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is much larger than what most individuals would eat in the same period of time under the same circumstances
- a sense of lack of control over eating during the episodes (feeling like you can’t stop eating)
Binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:
– Eating much more rapidly than normal
-Eating until feeling uncomfortable full
-Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
-Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
– Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterwards
Much distress regarding binge eating is present
The binge eating occurs on average at least once a week for three months
Not associated with your current use of inappropriate compensatory behaviours as in bulimia and does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa
How many binging episodes per week constitute a mild binge eating disorder
1-3 per week
How many binge eating episodes per week constitute a moderate binge eating disorder
4-7
How many binge eating episodes per week constitute a severe binge eating disorder
8-13
How many binge eating episodes per week constitute a extreme binge eating disorder
14+
What are the consequences of binge eating disorder
Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular problems Respiratory problems Joint or muscle pain Insomnia Early menstruation
What does the DSM say about avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
An eating or feeding disturbance (such as an apparent lack of interest in eating food, avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of the food, concerns about aversive consequences of the food) is manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and or energy needs associated with one or more of the following:
- significant weight loss
- Significant nutritional deficiency
- Dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements
- Marked interference with psychosocial functioning (prevents you from engaging socially eg. Family bbq)
The disturbance is not better explained by a lack of available food or by and associated culturally sanctioned practice
The eating disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of anorexia or bulimia and there is no evidence of a disturbance in the way in which ones body weight or shape is experienced
The disturbance is not attributable to a concurrent medical condition or another mental disorder or when the eating disturbance does occur in the context of another condition or disorder the severity exceeds that which routinely is associated with the condition and warrants additional clinical attention

Explain the biopsychosocial model of eating disorders
Biological: family history, genetic predisposition, history of dieting (it only takes one trigger for a diet to become something that is clinically significant), type 1 diabetes (because they need to be careful and monitor food intake, this can become a problem)
Psychological: low self esteem, feelings of inadequacy, depression, anxiety , loneliness
(Can’t control things in life but can control what is going in and out of their mouth)
Social: cultural norms that overvalue appearance, body dissatisfaction, drive for ideal body type, weight stigma and bullying
A multidisciplinary approach is best for eating disorders who might this involve
Psychologist Medical practitioner Psychiatrist Physiotherapist Dietician
