Eating Disorders Lecture Overview

41 vocabulary flashcards covering definitions, diagnostic criteria, biological and sociocultural factors, personality traits, treatments, and resources related to eating disorders as presented in the lecture notes.

Eating Disorder (ED)

A mental health condition marked by persistent disturbances in eating behaviours and related thoughts and emotions that impair physical health or psychosocial functioning.

Anorexia Nervosa

An ED characterised by energy intake restriction leading to significantly low body weight, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image; may be restricting or binge-purge type.

Bulimia Nervosa

An ED involving recurrent binge-eating episodes followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviours (e.g., vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise) at least once a week for 3 months.

Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

An ED marked by recurrent binge episodes without regular compensatory behaviours, causing distress and occurring ≥1 day a week for 3 months.

EDNOS (DSM-IV) / OFSED & UFED (DSM-5)

Previous ‘Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified’ replaced by Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (atypical or subthreshold presentations) and Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (insufficient information).

Night Eating Syndrome

A form of OFSED involving recurrent night-time eating episodes that cause distress or impairment.

Purging Disorder

OFSED subtype with recurrent purging (vomiting/laxatives) at least weekly for ≥6 months without objective binge episodes.

Binge

Rapid consumption of an objectively large amount of food (<2 h) accompanied by a sense of loss of control.

Purge

Compensatory behaviour such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, laxative/diuretic misuse, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

Lanugo

Fine downy hair that develops on the body of individuals with severe malnutrition, particularly in anorexia nervosa.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation; formerly a diagnostic marker of anorexia nervosa, now considered a common physical consequence.

DSM-5 Severity Specifier (ED)

Levels (mild, moderate, severe, extreme) based on BMI for anorexia or frequency of compensatory/binge behaviours for bulimia and BED.

Prognosis of Anorexia Nervosa

Approx. 70 % recover over 6–7 years; highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder with death often due to medical complications or suicide.

Prognosis of Bulimia Nervosa

~70 % recover; mortality lower than in anorexia; diagnostic crossover between anorexia and bulimia is common.

Potassium Depletion

A dangerous electrolyte disturbance frequently resulting from purging behaviours (vomiting/laxatives) in bulimia.

Hypothalamus

Brain region regulating hunger, satiety, and endocrine functions; hormonal abnormalities (e.g., cortisol) appear in anorexia but normalise with weight gain.

Endogenous Opioids

Body-produced substances that reduce pain, elevate mood, and suppress appetite—may reinforce starvation in low-weight individuals.

Serotonin Dysregulation

Low serotonin and its metabolites linked to negative mood and binge triggers in bulimia.

Thinspiration Effect

Motivation to diet sparked by viewing idealised thin images, paradoxically making chronic dieters feel thinner temporarily.

Muscle Dysmorphia

Body-image disorder involving obsessive concern with insufficient muscularity, more common in males under appearance pressure.

Gender Dysphoria

Clinically significant distress arising from incongruence between one’s gender identity and sex assigned at birth.

Transgender

Umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from societal expectations of their assigned sex.

Eating Disorders in LGBT Populations

Higher prevalence of disordered eating behaviours reported among LGBT—especially transgender—youth compared with general population.

Avoidance Motivation (Personality)

Tendency to avoid negative outcomes; consistently linked with increased risk of eating disorders.

Perfectionism

Personality trait of setting unrealistically high standards; strongly associated with anorexia and bulimia onset and maintenance.

Sensitivity to Social Rewards

Heightened responsiveness to praise/approval; identified as a personality factor correlated with eating disorders.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Evidence-based psychological treatment targeting dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours; first-line for bulimia and BED and helpful for anorexia.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Therapy focusing on improving relationships and social functioning; effective but generally slower than CBT for bulimia.

Maudsley Approach (Family-Based Therapy)

Labour-intensive treatment where parents lead weight restoration in adolescents with anorexia; superior to individual therapy in youths <3 years ill.

Fairburn’s CBT for Bulimia

Structured programme challenging thin-ideal beliefs, reducing dietary restraint, and teaching skills to prevent binge–purge cycles.

Relapse in ED Treatment

Common post-treatment return of symptoms; predictors include low initial motivation and high eating preoccupation.

Orthorexia

Obsessive focus on ‘healthy’ eating and pathologic avoidance of perceived harmful foods; not an official DSM diagnosis.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ED characterised by limited quantity or variety of food intake without body-image disturbance, leading to nutritional deficiency or interference with functioning.

Pica

Persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances inappropriate to developmental level.

Prader–Willi Syndrome

Genetic disorder causing intellectual disability, hypotonia, and chronic insatiable hunger leading to obesity.

Mortality Rates in EDs

Per meta-analysis: 5.1 deaths/1,000 person-years in anorexia, 3.0 in OFSED, 0.7 in bulimia; suicide risk especially high in anorexia.

National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)

Canadian resource offering helpline, email, and chat support for individuals affected by eating disorders.

Wellness Wheel

Holistic model of self-care encompassing physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, and occupational health domains.

Pillars of Self-Care

Key life areas (Physical, Emotional, Social, Intellectual, Professional/Occupational, Financial, Spiritual, Environmental) essential for overall wellness.