Term
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Definition
| Anorexia nervosa is characterised by a fear of gaining weight combined with a refusal to maintain a normal weight. Distorted thoughts and values are typical. There are two main types of anorexia nervosa; restricting type and binge-eating/purging type. Patients with anorexia nervosa are seriously underweight. This disorder is most likely to develop in females aged between 16 and 20 years old. |
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Term
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Definition
| Bulimia nervosa is characterised by frequent episodes of binge eating, a lack of control over eating, and recurrent inappropriate behaviour to prevent weight gain. Unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimic patients are typically of normal weight. There are also two types of bulimia nervosa, the purging type (who typically induce vomiting, and use laxatives and diuretics) and the non-purging type, who combine fasting with exercising. This disorder is most likely to develop in females aged between 21 and 24 years old. |
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Term
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Definition
| binge-eating disorder'. This disorder involves frequent episodes of binge eating, no compensatory weight-loss behaviours, less dietary restrictions than with bulimia, and is associated with being overweight or obese. |
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Term
Treatment considerations
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Treatment can be challenging because patients are often conflicted about getting well. Approximately 17% of patients with severe eating disorders have to be committed to hospitals against their will.
Common treatments of anorexia nervosa include:
emergency procedures to restore weight
antidepressants or other medications
family therapy
cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Common treatments of bulimia nervosa include:
antidepressants or other medications
cognitive behavioural therapy. |
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Term
Psychological comorbidity
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Eating disorders are often associated with other psychological conditions such as:
clinical depression
obsessive compulsive disorder
substance abuse disorders
various personality disorders. |
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Term
Prevalence
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Eating disorders are more common in women than they are in men. In the USA, the lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa is around 0.9% in women and 0.3% in men, whereas the lifetime prevalence of bulimia is around 1.5% in women and 0.5% in men. The lifetime prevalence of binge-eating disorder is 3.5% in women and 2% in men (though the risk is higher in obese people). Many more people suffer from less severe forms of disturbed eating patterns.
Both disorders can develop at any age, although they typically begin in adolescence. Anorexia nervosa is most likely to develop in 16- to 20-year-olds. Bulimia nervosa is most likely to develop in women aged 21–24. |
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Term
Outcomes
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Löwe et al. (2001) looked at the clinical outcomes of patients with anorexia nervosa 21 years after they had first sought treatment. They found:
51% fully recovered
21% partially recovered
10% not recovered
16% no longer alive.
The suicide risk is also high among anorexics. The long-term prognosis for bulimia is better than that for anorexia and for binge-eating disorder. For bulimia, 70% of patients are in still in remission 11 to 12 years after treatment, whereas for binge-eating disorder only 60% of patients are still in remission six years after treatment. |
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Term
Medical complications
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Anorexia can lead to:
death from heart arrhythmias
kidney damage
renal failure.
Bulimia can lead to:
electrolyte imbalances
hypokalemia (low potassium)
damage to hands, throat, and teeth from induced vomiting. |
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Term
Risk and causal factors
(anorexia nervosa and bulimia) |
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Definition
Eating disorders are undoubtedly multi-determined.
Biological factors
The tendency to develop an eating disorder runs in families. Genetic factors play a role in eating disorders, although exactly how important genes are in the development of pathological eating patterns is still unclear. The neurotransmitter serotonin has been implicated in eating disorders. This neurotransmitter is also involved in mood disorders, which are highly co-morbid with eating disorders. Some brain abnormalities may also play a role.
Sociocultural factors
Sociocultural influences are important in the development of eating disorders. Our society places a heavy value on being thin. Western values about thinness may be spreading, helping explain why eating disorders are now found throughout the world.
Family influences
Families of anorexics are described as showing the following characteristics:
limited tolerance of disharmonious affect or psychological tension
an emphasis on propriety and rule-mindedness
parental over-direction of the child or subtle discouragement of autonomous strivings
poor skills in conflict resolution
preoccupations regarding the desirability of thinness, dieting, and good physical appearance.
Individual risk factors
Individual risk factors, such as internalising the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, negative body image, childhood sexual abuse, and perfectionism are implicated in the development of eating disorders. |
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Term
Which of the following is not a condition found in the DSM?
Group of answer choices
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Binge-eating disorder
Obesity |
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Definition
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Term
Which of the following is a controversial aspect of the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa?
Group of answer choices
Refusal to maintain normal body weight.
Distorted perception of body size and shape.
Amenorrhea.
Denial. |
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Definition
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Term
Elena binges on high calorie foods and then makes herself throw up. She feels terribly ashamed and horrified by what she does. You would predict:
Group of answer choices
she will stop making herself throw up because she is ashamed and distressed.
she will not stop because her vomiting is reinforced by reducing her fear of gaining weight.
she will stop because her vomiting is being punished by the feelings of disgust and shame.
she will not stop because she has become physiologically addicted to vomiting. |
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Definition
| she will not stop because her vomiting is reinforced by reducing her fear of gaining weight. |
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Term
In her mid-thirties, Cheryl became preoccupied with her weight and began dieting and exercising. After losing a substantial amount of weight, she was still not happy with how she looked and continued to restrict her food intake. After several fainting spells resulting from her low calorie intake, her employer referred her to a clinician who recognized the signs of anorexia nervosa. Which of the following is unique about Cheryl's case?
Group of answer choices
Anorexia nervosa rarely starts during the mid-thirties.
The likelihood of anorexia being so readily recognized and diagnosed is slim.
Few women with anorexia exercise.
A diagnosis of anorexia is rarely made before the condition becomes life-threatening. |
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Definition
| Anorexia nervosa rarely starts during the mid-thirties. |
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Term
Set-point theory about weight suggests that:
Group of answer choices
dieting can establish a new set-point that stabilizes the near-starvation seen in people with anorexia.
people with anorexia are biologically programmed to be underweight.
the hunger that occurs by being well below one's set-point can trigger binges.
sociocultural factors play very little role in the development of unrealistic body image goals. |
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Definition
| the hunger that occurs by being well below one's set-point can trigger binges. |
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Term
Felicia has been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa with purging. We should expect that she:
Group of answer choices
purges only once every few years.
is unconcerned about becoming fat.
experiences electrolyte imbalances and mineral deficiencies.
is less than 85 percent of normal body weight but still considers herself 'fat'. |
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Definition
| experiences electrolyte imbalances and mineral deficiencies. |
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Term
Binge-eating disorder:
Group of answer choices
involves binges comparable to those in bulimia but without any inappropriate 'compensatory' behaviour to limit weight gain.
is an extremely rare variant of bulimia nervosa.
is diagnosed when a person binges and then purges by using laxatives or self-induced vomiting.
cannot be diagnosed if a person is overweight. |
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Definition
| involves binges comparable to those in bulimia but without any inappropriate 'compensatory' behaviour to limit weight gain. |
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Term
Which statement about the diagnosis of eating disorders is accurate?
Group of answer choices
A person meeting the criteria for bulimia rarely, if ever, has been diagnosed with anorexia.
There is quite a lot of diagnostic crossover in eating disorders.
Although the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia do not overlap, women with eating disorders often have other diagnosable psychiatric conditions.
Although anorexia and bulimia are quite similar, women with eating disorders rarely have a comorbid psychological condition. |
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Definition
| There is quite a lot of diagnostic crossover in eating disorders. |
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Term
When it comes to comparing one's actual body image with the ideal body:
Group of answer choices
young men are just as likely to see themselves as too fat as young women.
most young women want a body that is more 'curved' than the media-encouraged ideal.
young women often falsely believe that men prefer larger women than they actually do.
young women are more likely to be dissatisfied than young men. |
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Definition
| young women are more likely to be dissatisfied than young men |
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Term
Gastric bypass surgery makes it:
Group of answer choices
possible to binge and not gain weight.
slightly more likely that people will lose weight.
impossible to regain weight once it is lost.
impossible to binge eat but still possible to regain weight. |
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Definition
| impossible to binge eat but still possible to regain weight. |
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Term
Why does it make sense to view addiction as a mental disorder?
Group of answer choices
The symptoms reflect behaviours that involve the pathological need for a substance.
The most effective treatments are psychological.
Neurochemical imbalances underlie the problematic behaviours observed.
Substance abuse frequently develops in an attempt to self-medicate negative mood states. |
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Definition
| The symptoms reflect behaviours that involve the pathological need for a substance. |
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Term
The occurrence of withdrawal symptoms:
Group of answer choices
indicates that substance abuse has developed.
is necessary for a diagnosis of substance abuse.
is seen when use of any psychoactive substance is terminated.
signals that the body has adjusted to the presence of the drug. |
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Definition
| signals that the body has adjusted to the presence of the drug. |
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Term
Of the following, who is most likely to be an alcoholic?
Group of answer choices
A woman with no criminal history.
A woman with multiple children.
A male with a personality disorder.
A male with multiple children. |
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Definition
| A male with a personality disorder. |
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Term
Bertha has been drinking to excess for many years. She is malnourished. This is because:
Group of answer choices
alcohol has few calories.
alcohol impairs the body's ability to utilise nutrients.
alcoholism impairs her ability to choose healthy foods.
alcoholism causes people to lose their appetites. |
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Definition
| alcohol impairs the body's ability to utilise nutrients. |
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Term
All drugs that people become dependent upon:
Group of answer choices
are socially acceptable.
act on pleasure pathways in the brain.
provide the user with renewed energy.
produce withdrawal symptoms when use is ceased. |
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Definition
| act on pleasure pathways in the brain. |
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Term
Rosa comes to you for treatment of her alcohol abuse. You suspect that she might have some other Axis I disorder as well. Why is it important for you to evaluate her Axis I status?
Group of answer choices
Treating another Axis I disorder, when present along with alcohol abuse, usually clears up the excessive drinking as well.
Her genetic liability may be much stronger if the alcohol abuse is the only Axis I disorder.
The other disorder should be treated first.
The co-occurrence of another mental disorder has a very significant effect on treatment outcome. |
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Definition
| The co-occurrence of another mental disorder has a very significant effect on treatment outcome. |
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Term
What complicates the use of Antabuse in the treatment of alcoholism?
Group of answer choices
While it lessens cravings, it does nothing to improve negative mood states.
There is a risk of dependence.
It has to be administered intravenously.
Exposure to all alcohol must be avoided. |
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Definition
| Exposure to all alcohol must be avoided. |
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Term
Which of the following is a narcotic?
Group of answer choices
Alcohol
Codeine
Marijuana
Tobacco |
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Definition
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Term
Which of the following is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen?
Group of answer choices
Amphetamine
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Mescaline |
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Definition
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Term
An involuntary reoccurrence of perceptual distortions can occur weeks or months after taking a particular drug. The phenomenon is called ________; the drug is called ________.
Group of answer choices
amphetamine psychosis; amphetamine
a flashback; LSD
a rush; LSD
a blackout; alcohol |
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Definition
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Term
| What do all abused substances have in common? What are some inherited factors that might lead to an increased vulnerability to substance abuse? |
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Definition
| It would be expected that abused substances would share some common effects on the brain, and there is evidence of this. It appears that drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and opium all act on a system in the brain that is involved in pleasure. Thus, these drugs act on a system in the brain that normally serves to reward behaviours that are beneficial. While psychoactive drugs may have similar effects in the brain of everyone, there is evidence that those with a genetic predisposition for substance abuse may show an altered response to drugs. Males who are genetically predisposed to develop alcoholism, for example, appear to feel greater stress reduction than others when they drink alcohol and show other physiological differences in how they respond to alcohol. It is believed that these differences can explain the observed role of genes in the development of substance use disorders. Altered drug responsiveness, as well as personality traits, may be inherited and result in a greater risk of substance abuse and dependence. |
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Term
| Discuss the studies on rats and 'comfort food.' |
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Definition
| Like many humans, rats under chronic stress select high fat and sugar diets. They gain weight in their bellies and become calmer in the face of new, acute stress. People may also eat in response to aversive emotional states as well, and experience the same calming effect. This shows that learning is involved, as well as biochemical effects. Eating in response to emotional cues is reinforced because tension is reduced; leading to an increased likelihood of eating in response to those cues later on. |
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Term
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Definition
| anorexia nervosa is a pursuit of thinness that is relentless and that involves behaviors that result in a signifi- cantly low body weight. |
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Term
| Eating Disorders Comorbity |
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Definition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often found in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- , approximately 68 percent of patients with anorexia nervosa, 63 percent of patients with bulimia nervosa, and almost 50 percent of people with binge-eating disorder are also diagnosed with depression
- Indeed, about 58 percent of women with eating disorders may have a personality disorder. Plus, Personality disorders are similarly reported in around 30 percent of patients with BED, with avoidant, obsessive- compulsive, and borderline personality disorders being the most common |
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Term
| Brain Araes for eating disorders |
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Definition
| One brain area that plays an important role in eating is the hypothalamus. Animal studies have demonstrated that lesions in a part of the hypothalamus called the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) cause the animal to behave as if starved. |
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Term
| Negative Effect (Cause of Eating Disorders) |
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Definition
| Negative affect (feeling bad) is a causal risk factor for body dissatisfaction (Stice, 2002). When we feel bad, we tend to become very self- critical. We may focus on our limitations and shortcom- ings while magnifying our flaws and defects. This seems to be especially true of individuals with eating disor- ders, who, like people with depression, tend to show distorted ways of thinking and of processing informa- tion received from the environmen |
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Term
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Definition
For adolescents with anorexia ner- vosa, family therapy is considered to be the treatment of choice.
- CBT which involves changing behavior and maladaptive styles of thinking, has proved to be very effective in treating bulimia nervosa. Because anorexia nervosa shares many features with bulimia nervosa, CBT is often used with patients with anorexia nervosa as wel |
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Term
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Definition
| Obesity is defined on the basis of a statistic called the body mass index (BMI). This is a measure of a person’s weight relative to height and is calculated using the for- mula shown earlier in |
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