Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa

• restriction of food that leads to very low body weight; body weight significantly below normal

• intense fear of weight gain or repeated behaviors to interfere with weight gain

• body image disturbance

• weight loss typically achieved through dieting

• fear of gaining weight is not reduced by weight loss

• severity based on BMI

Anorexia Nervosa Subtypes/Consequences

• restricting type: weight loss achieved through limiting food intake

• binge-eating/purging type: person has also regularly engaged in binge eating and purging

• consequences: low BP/HR, loss of bone mass, kidney/GI problems, brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss

Etiology

• heritable

• endogenous opioids released during starvation, serotonin related to feelings of satiety–> low levels related to anorexia

• Cognitive Behavioral: body-image disturbance reinforces weight loss, behaviors that achieve'/maintain thinness are reinforced, criticism from family and peers regarding weight

• sociocultural: american cultural ideal progresses towards increasing thinness, unrealistic media portrayals

Treatment

• goal is to increase weight to avoid medical complications

• CBT

• family based therapy helps parents support child’s healthy weight