Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa Clinical Definition (According to the DSM-IV):

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (e.g. weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of what is expected;or failure to make expected weight gain during a period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of what is expected).
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight
• Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced
• Undue influence of body weight or shape on self- evaluation
• Denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight
• In post-menarcheal females, amenorrhea i.e. the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles. (A woman is considered to have amen if her periods occur only following hormone,e.g., birth control pills).

Restricting Type: During the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior.

Binge- Eating/ Purging Type: during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics,or enemas)

Symptoms:

Behavioral:
• Shopping or Cooking for Others
• Over-activity or Fatigue
• Excessive Exercise
• Social Withdrawal
• Food Rituals
• Frequent Weighing
• Dieting or Food Control Emotional/ Psychological:
• Denial
• Intense Fear of Becoming Fat
• Distorted Body Image
• Preoccupation with Food and Weight
• Secrecy about Eating or Dieting
• Depression
• Self- centered
• Irritable
• Suicidal Ideation/Medical Consequences:
• Low Body Temperature
• Low Blood Pressure
• Low Heart Rate
• Generalized Weakness
• Smaller, Weaker Heart
• Lack of Interest in Sex
• Growth of Fine Body Hair (lanugo)
• Bluish Hands and Feet
• Constipation
• Low Estrogen leading to Osteoporosis (women)
• Low Testosterone (men)
• Slowed Metabolism
• Slowed Reflexes
• Loss of Muscle Mass
• Stopping of normal menstrual cycle (women)
• Hair Loss
• Gaunt, Hollow Facial Features
• Dry Skin
• Bruises
• Sharply Protruding Bones
• Delayed Puberty
• Preadolescent females fail to menstruate and develop breasts at a normal age
• Preadolescent males: testosterone levels may remain low leading to impotence
• Insomnia
• Kidney Failure
• Death

Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association, 2003