1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 311Abnormal Psychology1Overview of Eating Disorders2Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySeveral types• Anorexia Nervosa• Bulimia Nervosa• Eating Disorders not Otherwise Specified3Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyAnorexia Nervosa4Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBackground• Occurs more in industrial societies• Occurs more in females • 50% of all females can be diagnosed as anorexic sometime in their lifetime.• More are subthreshold• Can also occur in males• 1/10th of females• Is also increasing• Increased risk among first-degree biological relatives• Also see mood disorders as well5Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyAdditional Background• Usually occurs in thin-body cultures• Rarely begins before puberty or after 40• Hospitalization may be required• Many individuals relapse or move to a binge/purging subtype.• Death occurs from •Starvation•Suicide• Electrolyte imbalances6Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyClinical Features• Person refuses to maintain a minimally normal body weight for age and height• Less than 85% of normal body weight• Is afraid of gaining weight or becoming fat• Occurs even when the person is underweight• Experiences perceptual disturbances about their body shape• Denial of seriousness of low body weight.• Absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles27Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Features• Loss of appetite is also rare• In adolescence, their may be a lack of weigh gain in relation to body size.• Fear of gaining weight is not reduced by weight loss, and the concern may actually increase as weight decreases• Use a variety of techniques to control weight8Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySelf Esteem• Is highly dependent on body shape and weight• Weight loss is viewed as an achievement• Is a sign of self-discipline and self control• Usually deny medical implications9Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Accompanying Disorders • Depressive symptoms• Depressed mood, Social Withdrawal, Irritability, Insomnia, Decreased sexual interest• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders• May be preoccupied with food•Collect recipes, hoard food, others• General Medical Conditions• All are related to starvation•Anemia•Dry Skin•Low body Temperature and Metabolism•Low levels of potassium – cardiac problems10Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyContributing Factors• Personality• High risk of perfectionism• Tend to be obsessive – compulsive• Family Factors• Disorder tends to run in families• Is it genetic or continued dysfunctional behavior learned in the family.•Cultural factors• Occurs more in Caucasians• Occurs more in professions where “thin is in”11Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySubtypes• Restricting• Binge-Eating/Purging 12Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyRestricting• Weight loss is accomplished through•Dieting•Fasting• Excessive Exercise• Do not usually binge or purge food313Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBinge-Eating/Purging Type• Person regularly binge eats, purges, or does both• May use vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas• Some individuals do not binge but still purge even after small amounts of food.• Often occurs weekly14Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBulimia Nervosa15Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBackground• Occurs at about the same rate in most industrialized countries• Most individuals are white• 90% are females• Lifetime estimates 1-3%0• Usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood• Most seek treatment in late 20’s or early 30’s• More males are bulimic than anorexic16Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyDiagnostic Features•Binge eating• Eat more than a normal person would under similar circumstances.• Have a lack of control over eating during the episode (Cannot stop or control eating)17Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyInappropriate Compensatory Behavior• Behavior is used to prevent weight gain.• Self-Induced vomiting, Laxatives, Diuretics, Enemas, Fasting, Excessive Exercise• Binge eating and compensatory behaviors occurs twice a week for 3 months.• Self-Evaluation is induced by body shape and weight.18Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Aspects• Binge eating often occurs in secrecy• Accompanied by a lack of control• 80%-90% use vomiting as a weigh controlling measure• Vomiting may become a goal by itself• May vomit even after eating small amounts of food• May use laxatives or fasting to control weight419Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySubtypes• Purging• Uses •Self-induced vomiting•Laxatives•Diuretics•Enemas•Non Purging•Uses•Fasting•Excessive exercise•Does not use purging methods20Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyDifference between Anorexia and Bulimia• Many symptoms appear similar• Key difference• Individuals with Bulimia are able to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal level. • Anorexics – are inflexible, rigid, stubborn• Bulimics - Have poor impulse control21Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyAssociated Disorders• Increased rate of depression or other mood disorders. • May have anxiety disorders as well.• 30% have a substance abuse or dependence disorder. • Often use stimulants 22Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Medical Conditions• Loss of teeth enamel• Occurs from repeated vomiting•Stomach acid• Teeth may appear moth eaten• Have more cavities•May have • Cardiac problems• Menstrual irregularity• Electrolyte imbalances due to laxatives23Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyEating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified24Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyCharacteristics• Does not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder•Examples• Female meets all Anorexic criteria except person has regular menstrual cycles• Chew and spit out (don’t swallow) large amounts of food•Others525Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyTreatment• Counseling is important• Use cognitive behavioral treatments.• Group and individual therapy both have good results.• May use antidepressants as well• May require hospitalization• Observation for relapse extremely important.• Family therapy is also important.26Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyConclusions• Several types• Occurs in a lot of individuals• Has several good treatment
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