wk7: Eating Disorders Flashcards

Flashcards on Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

Eating disorder characterized by low body weight (BMI < 18.5), restriction of food intake, an intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Eating disorder characterized by a normal or overweight body weight, a binge and purge cycle, dissatisfaction with body, and guilt after eating.

Refeeding Syndrome

A dangerous shift in fluids and electrolytes that can happen when someone who is severely malnourished (AN) starts eating again too quickly leading to cardiac risks.

Binge Eating

A behavior seen in bulimia nervosa involving consuming a large quantity of food in a short period.

Purging

Behaviors, such as vomiting, using laxatives, or diuretics, used to compensate for food intake in bulimia nervosa.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• A first-line talk therapy that helps people recognise and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.

• thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected — changing one can change the others.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A type of therapy that teaches people how to manage intense emotions, cope with distress, and improve relationships.

Family-Based Therapy (FBT)

A treatment where the whole family is involved in helping a patient recover from an eating disorder.

SSRI

• Increases serotonin levels in the brain by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin by nerve cells.

• This helps improve mood, emotion regulation, sleep, and appetite.

• Fluoxetine, Escitalopram; helpful in treating bulimia nervosa.

SCOFF Screening Tool

A five-question screening tool used to identify potential eating disorders. (Sick, Control, One stone, Food, Fat)

extra info:

1. Sick: Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?

2. Control: Do you worry you've lost control over how much you eat?

3. One stone: Have you recently lost more than one stone (≈6 kg) in 3 months?

4. Fat: Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?

5. Food: Would you say that food dominates your life?

📝 Scoring:

• 2 or more "yes" answers = needs further ax
  (not a diagnosis, just a red flag)