Module 7.2: Eating disorders

Question 1

what are some of the biological & behavioural factors that can contribute to the development of eating disorders? (3)

Answer 1

• PTSD
• Anxiety disorders:
• social phobias
• OCD
• Panic attacks

Question 2

What are the potential signs & symptoms of an eating disorder? How might the nurse recognise this in a young person?

Answer 2

Physical Health:

• electrolyte disturbance
• amenorrhea (absence of Menes)
• GI complaints
• Oral & dental symptoms
• Seizures
• rapid weight loss

Psychological:

• lowered mood
• suicidal ideation
• obsessive behaviours
• fatigue
• negative body image

Social:

• isolation
• changes in food patterns / preferences
• where eating?

Question 3

Define Anorexia nervosa. outline key characteristics & features.

Answer 3

• Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potential life threatening mental illness, with mortality rates (long term) and high as 20%

Characterised by:

• intense fear of gaining weight, body image disturbances
• weight loss - due to persistent restriction of energy intake

Features:

• strenuous exercise, persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain
• lack of recognition of seriousness of current low weight.
• perfectionism, rigidity, over-control

Question 4

Define Bulimia nervosa. outline key characteristics & features.

Answer 4

an emotional disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by fasting or self-induced vomiting or purging.

Characterised by:
* frequent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting to avoid weight gain.

Diagnosis:

• recurrent episodes of binge eating
• experience feelings of loss of control overeating during bingeing
• recurrent inappropriate behaviours to compensate for caloric input
• sense of self - unduly influenced by body shape or weight.