Eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia nervosa involves an obsession with maintaining a weight below the minimum standard for one’s height and age. The body is perceived as distorted, with a constant feeling of being overweight. Types include:

• Restrictive Type: Strictly limits food intake, counts bites and calories, and increases physical activity.
• Purging Type: Uses vomiting or laxatives after excessive food intake.

Severity and duration are indicated by Body Mass Index (BMI):

• Average BMI: 18.5-25
• Mild Anorexia: 17 or more
• Moderate Anorexia: 16-16.99
• Severe Anorexia: 15-15.99
• Critical Anorexia: 15 or less

Characteristics:

• Intense fear of weight gain despite being underweight
• Pursuit of extreme thinness
• Distorted perception of body shape and weight
• Excessive influence of body weight on self-esteem
• Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Gastrointestinal issues (bloating, constipation, sensation of fullness after small amounts)
• Dizziness, syncope
• Sleep disturbances
• Growth retardation
• Hypothermia, cold extremities
• Bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmia
• Endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal, hematological, and cardiovascular changes

Complications can result in a 5% mortality rate.

Bulimia Nervosa:

Bulimia involves episodes of uncontrollable overeating followed by guilt, self-punishment, and remorse. To avoid weight gain from excessive eating, individuals may use extreme methods to control weight (excessive exercise, laxatives, vomiting).

Binge Eating Disorder:

Involves uncontrolled eating episodes triggered by high anxiety and depressed mood. It is characterized by a loss of control over eating and is driven by a compulsion to relieve stress.

Treatment:

• Pharmacotherapy
• Psychotherapy