Eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa

• Extremely restricted eating

• Emaciation, BMI 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 is with psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and drug therapy with antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be needed. Severe cases of anorexia nervosa need critical care.