Self

Eating Disorders Overview

• Prevalence of eating disorders in females: Anorexia Nervosa (1.5%), Bulimia Nervosa (1.5%), Binge Eating Disorder (3.5%).
• Prevalence in males: Anorexia Nervosa (0.3%), Bulimia Nervosa (0.5%), Binge Eating Disorder (2%).
• Binge Eating Disorder characterized by recurrent uncontrollable binges leading to guilt, depression, and poor coping.

Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa

• Classified under Feeding & Eating Disorders in DSM V.
• Involves restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, resulting in significantly low body weight.
• Subtypes include Restricting type, where no binge-eating or purging behaviors have occurred in the past 3 months.

Demographic Insights

• Eating disorders are common among adolescents and young adults, particularly between early teens to mid-20s.
• Bulimia usually develops post age 12, while Anorexia can manifest as early as 7 years old.
• A higher prevalence of these disorders is noted in cultures influenced by social media.
• Greater incidence in females and potential life-threatening consequences without early intervention.
• Coexistence of multiple eating disorders is common, alongside co-morbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
• Suicide risk is notably higher, estimated at 6.7% in the same age group.

Psychological and Sociocultural Factors

• Psychological influences vary between disorders: Anorexia relates to control; Bulimia ties to affective instability and impulses.
• Sociocultural factors include the normalization of weight measurement, dieting, and distorted body imagery.
• Biological predispositions include low cholecystokinin in Bulimia and altered serotonin affecting appetite and mood.

Co-Morbidities

• Commonly co-occurring conditions include anxiety and depression; lifetime prevalence in anorexia (31%-89%) and bulimia (24%-90%).
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) observed in up to 25% of anorexia patients, with behaviors like hoarding foods and preparing elaborate meals.

Etiology of Eating Disorders

• Considered syndromes comprising clusters of symptoms rather than singular diseases.
• Unknown if they share common causes or pathologies; several theories offer insight into their development.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Biological Factors: Heritability greater than 50% indicated by genetic studies; altered serotonin linked to appetite and impulse control dysregulation.
• Psychological Factors: Cognitive-behavioral theories suggest learned behaviors reinforce negative eating patterns (e.g., weight loss leading to compliments).
• Environmental Factors: Cultural norms shape self-concept and beauty ideals, emphasizing thinness; no direct causal links between these norms and eating disorders identified, though low self-esteem is prevalent among sufferers.

Eating Disorders Overview

• Prevalence of eating disorders in females: Anorexia Nervosa (1.5%), Bulimia Nervosa (1.5%), Binge Eating Disorder (3.5%).
• Prevalence in males: Anorexia Nervosa (0.3%), Bulimia Nervosa (0.5%), Binge Eating Disorder (2%).
• Binge Eating Disorder characterized by recurrent uncontrollable binges leading to guilt, depression, and poor coping.

Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa

• Classified under Feeding & Eating Disorders in DSM V.
• Involves restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, resulting in significantly low body weight.
• Subtypes include Restricting type, where no binge-eating or purging behaviors have occurred in the past 3 months.

Demographic Insights

• Eating disorders are common among adolescents and young adults, particularly between early teens to mid-20s.
• Bulimia usually develops post age 12, while Anorexia can manifest as early as 7 years old.
• A higher prevalence of these disorders is noted in cultures influenced by social media.
• Greater incidence in females and potential life-threatening consequences without early intervention.
• Coexistence of multiple eating disorders is common, alongside co-morbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
• Suicide risk is notably higher, estimated at 6.7% in the same age group.

Psychological and Sociocultural Factors

• Psychological influences vary between disorders: Anorexia relates to control; Bulimia ties to affective instability and impulses.
• Sociocultural factors include the normalization of weight measurement, dieting, and distorted body imagery.
• Biological predispositions include low cholecystokinin in Bulimia and altered serotonin affecting appetite and mood.

Co-Morbidities

• Commonly co-occurring conditions include anxiety and depression; lifetime prevalence in anorexia (31%-89%) and bulimia (24%-90%).
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) observed in up to 25% of anorexia patients, with behaviors like hoarding foods and preparing elaborate meals.

Etiology of Eating Disorders

• Considered syndromes comprising clusters of symptoms rather than singular diseases.
• Unknown if they share common causes or pathologies; several theories offer insight into their development.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Biological Factors: Heritability greater than 50% indicated by genetic studies; altered serotonin linked to appetite and impulse control dysregulation.
• Psychological Factors: Cognitive-behavioral theories suggest learned behaviors reinforce negative eating patterns (e.g., weight loss leading to compliments).
• Environmental Factors: Cultural norms shape self-concept and beauty ideals, emphasizing thinness; no direct causal links between these norms and eating disorders identified, though low self-esteem is prevalent among sufferers.