Eating Disorders (ps2008 week 4)

A category of mental health disorders characterized by abnormal eating habits and a distorted body image.

A type of eating disorder where individuals restrict their food intake to such a degree that it leads to significant weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.

A disorder where individuals engage in binge eating followed by purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for the consumed calories.

A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, which are characterized by consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time, with a feeling of lack of control.

A category used when individuals don't fully meet the criteria for a specific eating disorder, but still exhibit significant eating concerns and behaviors.

A label utilized when the eating disorder diagnosis is unclear, or the presentation is mixed and doesn't clearly resemble a specific ED.

A disorder where individuals experience a strong preoccupation with eating and their body image, often leading to restrictive eating and a sense of control through their consumption.

The act of engaging in behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or using laxatives to compensate for calorie intake.

A significant decrease in body weight due to energy restriction, with a BMI of 17.5 or lower, accompanied by a strong fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.

In Anorexia Nervosa, individuals with a restricting subtype primarily control their weight through excessive dieting or exercise and rarely engage in binge eating or purging behaviors.

In Anorexia Nervosa, individuals with a purging subtype might engage in binge eating and then compensate using methods like vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise.

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (purging or non-purging) aimed at preventing weight gain, occurring at least once a week for three months.

In Bulimia Nervosa, individuals engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating, defined by consuming an excessive amount of food in a short period and feeling a lack of control during the episode.

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (purging or non-purging), occurring at least once a week for three months, and a self-evaluation heavily influenced by body shape and weight.

Binge Eating Disorder involves frequent episodes of binge eating without any compensatory behaviors, often associated with feelings of shame and guilt after the episode.

While Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, the disorder is often associated with obesity.

A type of study that observes a group of people at a single point in time, examining the relationship between variables without manipulating any.

The idea that media exposure influences the development of eating disorders by promoting unrealistic beauty standards and body dissatisfaction.

The tendency to internalize media messages about thinness and beauty as essential for social acceptance and self-worth, leading to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.

The idea that a focus on likeability and social approval, often fueled by peer pressure and teasing about weight and appearance, can significantly contribute to the development of eating disorders.

The crucial role of parents' attitudes and behaviors towards food, weight, and body image in shaping their children's eating patterns and potentially influencing the development of eating disorders.

The period of adolescence, marked by rapid physical and social changes, is identified as a crucial time when individuals are at a higher risk for developing eating disorders.

The tendency to prioritize others' opinions and seeking validation from external sources, often contributing to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

A pattern of behavior characterized by excessive protectiveness, rigidity, and involvement in a child's life, sometimes associated with the development of eating disorders in the child.

The primary treatment goals for eating disorders aim to reduce the risk of physical and medical complications, promote healthy eating habits, facilitate recovery from the disorder, address shame and secrecy associated with the disorder, and help individuals re-evaluate their relationship with weight and body image.

Pharmacological treatments are not commonly used for eating disorders because their effectiveness is limited.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) is a therapy used to treat eating disorders that involves understanding the individual's motivations for change, identifying and addressing patterns or features of the eating disorder, and preventing relapse.

Family-based therapy for eating disorders involves the whole family working together to help the individual recover. Initially, parents take a more active role in managing the individual's eating patterns, and as the individual recovers, they gradually regain control of their eating. The therapy also addresses developmental milestones missed due to the eating disorder.

A core aspect of treating anorexia nervosa (AN) is helping the individual regain weight. Severe starvation can negatively impact brain function, making therapeutic engagement difficult.

A neurochemical theory suggesting that individuals with anorexia nervosa experience a release of endogenous opioids during starvation, which provides a sense of reward and reinforces the starvation behavior. This theory proposes that individuals with anorexia may become addicted to the feeling of starvation.

A theory suggesting that individuals with eating disorders might experience disturbances in neurotransmitters, leading to increased dopamine levels for bulimia nervosa and decreased serotonin and dopamine levels for anorexia nervosa. This imbalance could contribute to cravings, binge eating, and difficulty regulating emotions.

A key factor in the development of eating disorders, characterized by dissatisfaction with one's body and a perceived discrepancy between one's ideal and actual body size and shape. Studies indicate a strong correlation between high body dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders.

A personality trait characterized by a strong desire to achieve perfection and a fear of failure. Individuals with high perfectionism may be more susceptible to developing eating disorders, striving for unattainable body ideals.

A psychological coping mechanism employed by individuals with eating disorders, particularly in cases of binge eating. This response involves shifting focus from emotionally distressing experiences towards eating patterns, temporarily providing a sense of control and regulation.

A contributing factor to the development of eating disorders, linked to the individual's ability to tolerate and manage emotional fluctuations. Individuals with low mood tolerance may be more likely to develop eating disorders as a way to cope with intense emotional experiences.

A psychological state characterized by a negative self-image and a lack of confidence. Low self-esteem can contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders, as individuals may attempt to improve their self-worth through physical changes.

The cultural influence on body image, particularly in Westernized societies, emphasizing thinness and idealized body shapes. This can contribute to the development of eating disorders, especially in individuals who are highly susceptible to external pressures.

A pattern of recurrent binge eating episodes characterized by at least three of the following: rapid eating, eating until uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, feeling disgusted with oneself (depressed or guilty) . This behavior is accompanied by significant distress and occurs at least once a week for three months without any compensatory behaviors.

A trend observed in the diagnoses of eating disorders (EDs) over time. Many individuals initially diagnosed with one ED change to a different diagnosis later on.

The prevalence of eating disorders among males is likely underreported and may even be increasing at a faster rate than in females. However, there is no significant difference in the severity of eating disorders between genders.

The tools used to assess eating disorders often focus on behaviors that are more prevalent in females (e.g., thinness idealization) leading to underdiagnosis and a lack of understanding of how eating disorders manifest in males.

Males with EDs tend to be less likely to seek help compared to females, contributing to the underestimation of ED prevalence among men.

Several challenges make studying eating disorders difficult, including their relatively low prevalence, difficulty in detection, unrepresentative samples, and the complexities of diagnosis.

Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of eating disorders, with heritability estimated at 40-60%. Research suggests that individuals with first-degree relatives with anorexia nervosa (AN) are ten times more likely to develop an eating disorder, while having a relative with bulimia nervosa (BN) increases the risk by four to nine times.