Anorexia: Features and Symptoms Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is anorexia nervosa?
- An eating disorder that is characterised by fear of gaining weight or having a strong desire to be thin
- People with anorexia often have a distorted body image by thinking they’re overweight when they’re not, they have strict diets or exercise excessively
- alternatively, they may engage in purging behaviours- using laxatives to lose weight.
What is a feature?
The general information of the disorder, such as age of onset and most vulnerable gender.
What are 5 features of anorexia?
- 1/20 patients are likely to die from the illness
- 10x more common in females than males
- 1/200 women will develop anorexia at least once within their lifetime
- 85% of patients develop anorexia between 13-18 years old
- Often linked with stress from life
- has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
What is a symptom?
Individual behaviours of the patient associated with the disorder.
What is a somatic symptom?
A physical symptom of a disorder.
List 3 somatic symptoms.
1) Amenorrhea
2) Low blood pressure
3) Hair loss
What is a behavioural symptom?
A symptom relating to general actions.
List 2 behavioural symptoms.
1) OCD
2) Insomnia
What is an emotional symptom?
A symptom that links with feelings as a result of the disorder.
List 3 emotional symptoms.
1) Apathy
2) Social withdrawal
3) Depression
What is a cognitive symptom?
A symptom involved with thoughts and cognition.
List 2 cognitive symptoms.
1) Lower concentration levels
2) Body dysmorphia
List the 4 criteria that the DSM-IV uses for diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.
1) Refusal to maintain healthy body weight
2) intense fear of gaining weight
3) Disturbed perception of body
4) Amenorrhea
5) weight loss leading to maintenance of the body weight <85% of that expected.
