Eating Disorders

Chapter 10

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by loss of appetite and excessive weight loss due to emotional reasons.

BMI less than 18.5

Body Mass Index indicating very low body weight, often associated with anorexia.

Distorted body image

A perception of one's body that is inconsistent with physical reality, common in eating disorders.

Restriction of food

Limiting food intake leading to significant weight loss, often seen in anorexia.

Types of Anorexia

Anorexia can be classified into two types: restricting and binge eating/purging.

Age of onset for anorexia

Typically occurs between the ages of 14-20.

Comorbid conditions with anorexia

Anorexia is often associated with depression, OCD, phobias, panic disorders, alcoholism, and personality disorders.

Amenorrhea

Absence of the menstrual cycle, often seen in individuals with anorexia.

Physical changes of anorexia

Includes low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, loss of bone mass, brittle nails, dry skin, and hair loss.

Lanugo

Soft, downy body hair that can develop in individuals with anorexia.

Suicide rates in anorexia

Individuals with anorexia have a suicide rate 5 times higher than the general population.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.

Ox hunger

A term used informally to describe the overwhelming urge to eat, often seen in bulimia.

Recurrent binges

Episodes of consuming excessive amounts of food in a short period, characteristic of bulimia.

Compensatory behaviors

Actions taken to prevent weight gain after binge eating, including vomiting and excessive exercise.

Binge Eating Disorder

A disorder marked by recurrent binge eating without purging or significant weight loss.

Food insecurity in eating disorders

Lack of access to sufficient food leading to a higher risk of developing eating disorders.

ED Causes: Psychodynamic Perspective

Disturbed mother-child relationships leading to a lack of independence and control.

ED Causes: Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Distorted thinking patterns about body shape and weight contributing to eating disorders.

Biological causes of ED

Genetic predispositions, brain structure abnormalities, and hormone regulation impacting eating disorders.

Social pressures and eating disorders

Social influences, particularly in Western societies, contribute to the prevalence of eating disorders.

Family environment factors

Families that emphasize thinness and dieting may increase the risk for eating disorders.

Gender differences in eating disorders

Eating disorders occur more often in females, with transgender/nonbinary individuals at higher risk.

Anorexia treatment

Focuses on nutritional rehabilitation and cognitive behavioral techniques to promote healthy eating.

Bulimia treatment

Involves reducing binges and using cognitive behavioral techniques, often with medication.

Nutritional rehabilitation

A process to help individuals with eating disorders to gain weight and establish healthy eating patterns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

A therapeutic technique aimed at changing negative thought patterns associated with eating disorders.

Family treatment for anorexia

Involves engaging family members in the recovery process for individuals with anorexia.

Triggers for binges

Stress and negative emotions often trigger binge eating episodes.

Binge characteristics

Eating rapidly, consuming excessive amounts, eating alone, and feeling guilty afterward are common.

Caloric intake during binge

Binge episodes can involve the consumption of 2000 to 3400 calories.

Impact of vomiting on binges

Vomiting does not eliminate all absorbed calories, leading to increased hunger and more binges.

Enmeshment in families

Family dynamic where family members are overly involved in each other's lives, affecting independence.

Rate of eating disorders in athletes

9% of female college athletes meet criteria for an eating disorder.

Male involvement in eating disorders

Males represent about 10% of individuals with anorexia or bulimia, often related to muscularity.

Muscularity trend

A recent trend among males to focus on muscularity contributes to the risk of developing eating disorders.

Compulsive exercise

Excessive physical activity often used as a compensatory behavior in bulimia.

Weigh set point

A concept suggesting that the body has a weight range it is predisposed to maintain.

Shame after binge eating

Feelings of guilt and shame are often reported following binge eating episodes.

Treatment effectiveness

Treatment aims to correct dangerous eating patterns and address underlying psychological issues.

Distorted self-evaluation

Individuals with eating disorders may judge themselves based on their shape or weight.

Physical consequences of anorexia

Include decreased bone density, irregular heart rhythms, and potential life-threatening outcomes.

Manifestations of bulimic behavior

Includes eating large amounts of food secretly and engaging in compensatory measures.

Weight range in bulimia

Individuals with bulimia typically present with body weight in the average to above-average range.

Self-evaluation influence

Body shape and weight significantly impact individuals' self-evaluation in eating disorders.

Binge Eating disorder prevalence

The most common eating disorder, affecting 2.8% of individuals in the U.S.

Gender-based eating disorder rates

Cisgender individuals have a lower prevalence (2%) compared to transgender/nonbinary individuals (9%).

Complications from eating disorders

Can include severe health risks, including organ failure, heart problems, and death.

Cognitive-behavioral focus in treatment

Emphasizes modifying thought patterns and behaviors related to food and body image.

Dieting triggers for anorexia

Often initiated by dieting, leading to a dangerous cycle of restriction and weight loss.

Role of depression in EDs

Depression may set the stage for the development of eating disorders.

Social media influences

Social networking and media exposure have been linked to the development of eating disorders in youth.

Chronic binge eating

Crucial to diagnose binge eating disorder, involving recurrent binges without purging.

Anorexia's societal context

Eating disorders are more prevalent in societies that value thinness and appearance.

Feedback from family and peers

Family members who promote dieting and thinness can contribute to the risk of eating disorders.

Antidepressant medications

These may be beneficial in treating bulimia, but are less effective for anorexia.

Hormonal influences on eating disorders

Disruptions in hormonal regulation by the hypothalamus can impact hunger and body weight.

Coping mechanisms linked to ED

Individuals may use food and dieting as a way to cope with emotional distress.

Long-term effects of ED

Eating disorders often have lasting impacts on physical and mental health.

Therapeutic interventions

Can include psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and support groups for recovery.