Eating Disorders Chapter 11
Examples of Psychological Factors Leading to Eating Disorders
- Abuse issues - Undetected comorbidities including depression, anxiety, identity issues, etc. that have not been properly dealt with.
Examples of Biological Factors Leading to Eating Disorders
- Genetics - Abnormalities in the thalamus - Problems with feeling full -> diet may never leave one feeling saturated. - Yo-yo dieting, which causes the body to hold onto fat - Methamphetamine abuse
Bulimia Nervosa - DSM Check list
- Psychologically motivated hunger. - Recurrent episodes of binge eating with experience of loss of control. - Recurrent purging behavior. - Both occur at least once a week for at least three months. - Poor self-image based on body shape and weight.
DSM Checklist Anorexia Nervosa
- Psychologically motivated hunger. - Weight is at least 15% below normal. - There is an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat - Disturbance of body perception, i.e. there is high comorbidity with body dysmorphia. - Sometimes excessive exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder
- Repeated episodes of compulsive overeating in a short time period. - Occurs at least once a week for at least three months. - Occurs without really feeling hungry and to the point of feeling uncomfortably full. - Is often done in secret and is followed by feelings of guilt and disgust.
Which medications are helpful in anorexia and bulimia?
- SSRI's & Prozac - Help with the OCD component of anorexia. - Help with impulse control and depression in bulimia.
Examples of Social Factors Leading to Eating Disorders
- The pressure to be thin - Cultural factors
Binge Eating Disorder: Onset
- Wider age range - Person usually has a long history of weight struggles.
Anorexia Nervosa: Lifetime Prevalence
1 - 2%
Treatments of Eating Disorders (4)
1) Medication 2) CBT 3) Family Therapy 4) Treating comorbid conditions
Anorexia Nervosa tends to have high comorbidity with which two personality disorders?
1) OCD: in terms of mental calculations of calories, etc. 2) Narcissism: in terms of perfectionism and having a hypomanic presentation of the self.
Types of Eating Disorders (4)
1) Pica 2) Anorexia Nervosa 3) Bulimia Nervosa 4) Binge Eating Disorder
2 Types of Purging Behavior
1) Vomiting 2) Using laxatives
Bulimia Nervosa: Lifetime Prevalence
3%
Binge Eating Disorder: Gender
50% - 60% are female.
Bulimia Nervosa: Gender
80% are females.
Anorexia Nervosa: Gender
90% of those struggling are female.
Binge-
An episode of uncontrollable eating during which a person ingests a very large quantity of food.
Binge Eating Disorder: Lifetime Prevalence
At least 5%
The Course for: Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder
Chronic and progressive without treatment.
Bulimia Nervosa: Onset
Mid-teens to early 20's *Generally later than anorexia*
Pica
Recurrent, compulsive consumption of non-nutritive items. - This disorder is commonly seen in those with previous abuse issues.
Anorexia Nervosa-
Refusal to maintain body weight above a minimally normal weight for age and height Intense fear of gaining weight, even though underweight Disturbed body perception, undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low weight. In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea-
The cessation of menstrual cycles.
What is the main difference between bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder?
There is no purging behavior in binge eating disorder.
Anorexia Nervosa: Onset
Usually starts in early teens.
Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) A brain region that
depresses hunger when activated.
Lateral hypothalamus (LH) A brain region that
produces hunger when activated.