Eating disorders Flashcards
What are some behaviours common with anorexia nervosa?
Skipping or refusing meals
Drinking lots of water or excessive gum chewing
Frequent self-analysis of weight and body-image
Excessive exercise
Purging or vomiting on purpose
Wearing baggy/layered clothing
What are some psychological factors that can be involved in anorexia nervosa?
Distorted perception of self-image vs actual appearance
Denial of severity of problem
Depression
Mood swings/Personality changes
Difficulty concentrating, restlessness, or hyperactivity
What are some physical signs/symptoms for someone with anorexia nervosa?
Unusually thin appearance
Amenorrhea (no period)
Fatigue, dizziness or fainting
Brittle nails, hair thinning/falling out
Soft, downy hair covering body
Dry skin
Feeling cold
Low pulse, arrhythmia, low blood pressure
Dehydration
Loss of bone mass
What is bulimia nervosa?
Reccurent episodes of binge eating large quantities of food without a sense of control accompanied by inappropriate behaviours to prevent weight gain
* Self-induced vomiting
* Misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications
* Fasting
* Excessive exercise
What are some behaivours common with bulimia nervosa?
Excessive desire for privacy in bathrooms/bedrooms
Sudden dietary changes
Obsessive eating
* Separating food types on the plate
* Excessive chewing
Excessive exercise regimes
Going to the bathroom after meals
Using mints/gum to mask vomit smell
What are some psychological factors associated with bulimia nervosa?
Anxiety and depression
Low self-esteem, shame and guilt
Isolation and loneliness
Preoccupation with body weight and dieting
What are some physical symptoms associated with bulimia nervosa?
Frequent weight changes
Sore throat, tooth decay, and bad breath
Rounder face (Due to swollen salivary glands)
Irregular periods
Poor skin
Lethargy
Swollen/red marks on fingers (May indicate their usage to stimulate gag reflex)
Derranged bloods and electrolytes
What is refeeding syndrome?
Extended fasting causes depletion of electrolytes. When regular feeding is reinitiated cellular demand for those electrolytes causes their levels to drop further causing:
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Cardiac or respiratory failure
* Coma and death
Close monitoring of vital signs, blood glucose, fluid and food charts, and prophylactic phosphate, vitamins, and minerals are required to prevent this
What is avoidant restrictive food intake disorder?
A feeding or eating disturbance
* Lack of interest in food
* Avoidance due to sensory characteristics of food
* Concern of aversive consequences of eating
Manifested by persistant failure to meet appropriate nutritional needs
How are eating disorders treated?
Cognitive behavioural therapy, Dialectical behavioural therapy, individualised multidisciplinary approach, pharmacological interventions for comorbid mental health problems.
