Abnormal Psych Exam 3

Major patterns of eating disorders 

• Restriction with low weight

• Recurrent binge eating  

• Binge eating with compensatory behaviors  

• Eating primarily at night  

Anorexia

Extreme weight loss. May involve binging and purging. Fear of weight gain.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating without compensatory behaviors

Bulimia

Binge and purge

Key psychological features for eating disorders

• Concerns about weight  

• Distorted body perception  

• Shame, secrecy, guilt about eating  

• Links between eating behavior and emotional regulation  

Medical concerns for eating disorders

• Malnutrition and dehydration  

• Electrolyte imbalance  

• Cardiovascular strain  

• Long-term health consequences  

Contributing factors for eating disorders

• Culture 

• Body dissatisfaction  

• Perfectionism 

• Biological vulnerability  

Culture

media portrayals, cultural dieting, standards of body size

Biological

genetic component, deficits in serotonin may contribute to bingeing.

Psychological

low confidence, perfectionist, body image issues, preoccupation with food, mood intolerance.

Treatment

CBT, antidepresants

Insomnia-type problems  

• Difficulty falling/staying asleep  

• Poor sleep with adequate opportunity 

• Daytime fatigue/impairment 

Excessive sleepiness disorders 

• Persistent daytime sleepiness 

• Sudden sleep episodes  

• Possible muscle weakness triggered by emotion  

Sleep-related breathing problems 

• Repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep 

• Loud snoring and fragmented sleep  

• Daytime exhaustion  

Circadian rhythm disruption 

• Mismatch between internal clock and external schedule  

• Irregular sleep timing  

Parasomnias  

• Frightening nighttime episodes with intense arousal  

• Disturbing dreams that may be remembered  

• Little awareness or memory during some events  

Consequences of poor sleep 

• Cognitive and mood impairment  

• Reduced daytime functioning  

• Increased accident risk  

Sexual functioning involves

Biological, Psychological, and Relational

Gender Differences

• Reduces interest or arousal  

• Performance problems  

• Pain or discomfort  

• Anxiety or avoidance  

• Diagnosis requires persistent problems that cause distress or interpersonal difficulty  

Gender dysphoria

• Distress due to mismatch between experienced gender and assigned sex at birth  

• Difference between gender identity and sexual orientation  

• Psychological and social challenges associated with this distress  

• Broad approaches to support and treatment 

Substance use and effects

Tolerance, Withdrawal, Craving and loss of control, Continued use despite negative consequences

Persistent addiction  

• Activation of brain reward systems  

• Reinforcement of pleasurable or relieving effects  

• Environmental cues triggering use  

• Chronic, relapsing course  

Substances that slow brain activity and reduce inhibition  

Substances that increase energy and alertness 

Substances that are used for pain relief that can produce euphoria  

Substances that are used for pain relief that can produce euphoria  

Behavioral addictions ( that can become addictive without substance use and involve the following) 

• Reward activation  

• Loss of control  

• Continued behavior despite harm