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Introduction
1. Anatomy
2. Microbiology
3. Physiology
4. Pathology
5. Pharmacology
6. Immunology
7. Biochemistry
8. Cell and molecular biology
9. Biostatistics and epidemiology
10. Genetics
11. Behavioral science
11.1 Defense mechanisms
11.2 Personality traits and disorders
11.3 Psychotic disorders
11.4 Antipsychotic drugs
11.5 Anxiety disorders
11.6 Stress disorders
11.7 Mood disorders
11.8 Grief or bereavement
11.9 Serotonin syndrome
11.10 Somatic symptom disorder
11.11 Eating disorders
11.12 Disorders originating in infancy/childhood
11.13 Drugs used in the treatment of ADHD
11.14 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
11.15 Developmental milestones in children
11.16 Substance use disorders
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11.11 Eating disorders
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11. Behavioral science

Eating disorders

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Anorexia nervosa

  • Extremely restricted eating

  • Emaciation; BMI is very low

  • Intense fear of gaining weight

  • Distorted body image

  • False perception of being overweight

  • Excessive exercise

  • Weigh themselves repeatedly

  • Forceful vomiting

  • Laxative use

  • Osteoporosis and osteopenia

  • Brittle hair and nails, low blood pressure, lower body temperature, lanugo hair

  • Infertility, cardiac arrhythmias, renal and hepatic failure

  • High mortality, suicide risk

Bulimia nervosa

  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating large amounts of food followed by forced vomiting, laxative use, extreme fasting and/or extreme exercise to lose weight

  • BMI may be normal, slightly low, or high

  • Chronic sore throat from induced vomiting

  • Worn enamel, tooth decay from gastric acid exposure

  • Electrolyte imbalances

  • Severe dehydration

Binge eating disorder

  • Most common eating disorder

  • Loss of control over eating with recurrent episodes of binge eating large quantities of food

  • Overweight or obese

  • Eat even when not hungry

  • Distressed or guilty about binge eating

  • Frequent dieting without weight loss

Treatment of eating disorders includes psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy). Drug therapy with antidepressants or mood stabilizers may also be needed. Severe cases of anorexia nervosa require critical care.

Anorexia nervosa

  • Extreme food restriction, very low BMI
  • Intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image
  • Compensatory behaviors: excessive exercise, vomiting, laxatives
  • Physical effects: osteoporosis, brittle hair/nails, lanugo, infertility, cardiac/renal/hepatic failure
  • High mortality and suicide risk

Bulimia nervosa

  • Recurrent binge eating with compensatory behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise)
  • BMI often normal or slightly abnormal
  • Physical effects: sore throat, dental erosion, electrolyte imbalances, severe dehydration

Binge eating disorder

  • Most common eating disorder
  • Recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors
  • Overweight or obese, eat when not hungry
  • Emotional distress, frequent unsuccessful dieting

Treatment of eating disorders

  • Psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy
  • Medications: antidepressants, mood stabilizers
  • Severe anorexia may require critical care

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Eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa

  • Extremely restricted eating

  • Emaciation; BMI is very low

  • Intense fear of gaining weight

  • Distorted body image

  • False perception of being overweight

  • Excessive exercise

  • Weigh themselves repeatedly

  • Forceful vomiting

  • Laxative use

  • Osteoporosis and osteopenia

  • Brittle hair and nails, low blood pressure, lower body temperature, lanugo hair

  • Infertility, cardiac arrhythmias, renal and hepatic failure

  • High mortality, suicide risk

Bulimia nervosa

  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating large amounts of food followed by forced vomiting, laxative use, extreme fasting and/or extreme exercise to lose weight

  • BMI may be normal, slightly low, or high

  • Chronic sore throat from induced vomiting

  • Worn enamel, tooth decay from gastric acid exposure

  • Electrolyte imbalances

  • Severe dehydration

Binge eating disorder

  • Most common eating disorder

  • Loss of control over eating with recurrent episodes of binge eating large quantities of food

  • Overweight or obese

  • Eat even when not hungry

  • Distressed or guilty about binge eating

  • Frequent dieting without weight loss

Treatment of eating disorders includes psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy). Drug therapy with antidepressants or mood stabilizers may also be needed. Severe cases of anorexia nervosa require critical care.

Key points

Anorexia nervosa

  • Extreme food restriction, very low BMI
  • Intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image
  • Compensatory behaviors: excessive exercise, vomiting, laxatives
  • Physical effects: osteoporosis, brittle hair/nails, lanugo, infertility, cardiac/renal/hepatic failure
  • High mortality and suicide risk

Bulimia nervosa

  • Recurrent binge eating with compensatory behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise)
  • BMI often normal or slightly abnormal
  • Physical effects: sore throat, dental erosion, electrolyte imbalances, severe dehydration

Binge eating disorder

  • Most common eating disorder
  • Recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors
  • Overweight or obese, eat when not hungry
  • Emotional distress, frequent unsuccessful dieting

Treatment of eating disorders

  • Psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy
  • Medications: antidepressants, mood stabilizers
  • Severe anorexia may require critical care