Eating Disorders

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Eating Disorders - Defining the Demons

  • Core: Persistent disturbed eating/behavior → altered food intake/absorption → significant health/psychosocial impairment.
  • Major Types (DSM-5):
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN): Intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, severe restriction. BMI often < 17.5.
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN): Recurrent binges + compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging). Min. 1x/wk for 3mo.
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Recurrent binges, distress, NO regular compensatory behaviors. Min. 1x/wk for 3mo.
    • ARFID: Restrictive intake (not body image driven) → nutritional deficiency.
    • Pica: Eating non-nutritive, non-food items.
    • Rumination Disorder: Repeated food regurgitation.

⭐ Anorexia Nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa - Starvation's Grip

  • Intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, significantly low body weight.
  • Types: Restricting; Binge-eating/purging.
  • Key Features: Amenorrhea, bradycardia (< 50 bpm), hypotension, hypothermia (< 35°C), lanugo, hair loss, dry skin, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, constipation.
  • Endocrine: ↓LH, ↓FSH, ↓estrogen/testosterone, ↑cortisol, sick euthyroid.
  • Electrolytes: ↓K⁺, ↓PO₄³⁻, ↓Mg²⁺ (esp. during refeeding).
  • Severity (Adult BMI $kg/m^2$, where $BMI = \frac{weight (kg)}{height (m)^2}$): Mild (≥ 17), Moderate (16-16.99), Severe (15-15.99), Extreme (< 15).
  • ⚠️ Critical: Refeeding syndrome (can be fatal; monitor PO₄³⁻). Cardiac complications (arrhythmias, sudden death).

⭐ Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders.

Bulimia & Binge - Cycle Unmasked

Bulimia Nervosa (BN):

  • Recurrent binge eating (large food amount, loss of control).
  • Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors (purging, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise).
  • Frequency: ≥1x/week for 3 months.
  • Self-worth significantly tied to body shape/weight.
  • Signs: Russell's sign (knuckle calluses), dental erosion, parotid gland hypertrophy, hypokalemia (↓K+).

Binge Eating Disorder (BED):

  • Recurrent binge eating episodes with marked distress.
  • Associated with ≥3 of: eating rapidly; eating until uncomfortably full; eating large amounts when not physically hungry; eating alone due to embarrassment; feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty afterward.
  • Frequency: ≥1x/week for 3 months.
  • NO recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors.

Dental/oral findings of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa

⭐ Hypokalemia (serum K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) is a critical complication in Bulimia Nervosa due to purging behaviors (e.g., vomiting, laxative abuse), potentially leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Treatment Toolkit - Healing Paths

  • Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): Essential (Psychiatrist, Physician, Dietitian, Therapist).
  • Nutritional Rehabilitation:
    • Goal: Weight gain 0.5-1 kg/week (outpatient), 1-2 kg/week (inpatient).
    • ⚠️ Refeeding Syndrome: Risk if <70% Ideal Body Weight (IBW) or rapid refeed. Monitor $K^+$, $PO_4^{3-}$, $Mg^{2+}$. Start low, go slow. Thiamine supplementation crucial before feeding.
  • Psychotherapy:
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN): Family-Based Therapy (FBT) is gold standard for adolescents. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E).
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN) & Binge Eating Disorder (BED): CBT-E (first-line), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
  • Pharmacotherapy:
    • Fluoxetine for BN/BED (often after weight restoration if comorbid AN).
    • Olanzapine for AN (adjunctive for weight gain, reducing agitation).
  • Hospitalization Criteria: Medically unstable (e.g., HR <40/min, BP <80/60 mmHg, Temp <35°C, <75% IBW, significant electrolyte imbalance), acute psychiatric risk (e.g., suicidal ideation).

Eating Disorder Treatment Principles Diagram

⭐ Family-Based Therapy (FBT) is the leading evidence-based treatment for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa, emphasizing parental involvement in nutritional restoration and weight gain at home.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Anorexia Nervosa (AN): BMI < 18.5, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, amenorrhea.
  • Bulimia Nervosa (BN): Recurrent binge eating with compensatory behaviors. Russell's sign; normal/overweight.
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors; causes distress.
  • Complications: AN - osteoporosis, bradycardia; BN - hypokalemia, dental erosion.
  • Refeeding Syndrome: Risk in AN re-nutrition, monitor hypophosphatemia.
  • Management: Psychotherapy (CBT, FBT) is core. SSRIs for BN/BED. Use SCOFF for screening.

Practice Questions: Eating Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is FALSE regarding Anorexia Nervosa:

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Flashcards: Eating Disorders

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_____ commonly presents in 12-18 year olds with sudden testicular pain, high-riding testis, and absent cremasteric reflex

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ commonly presents in 12-18 year olds with sudden testicular pain, high-riding testis, and absent cremasteric reflex

Testicular torsion

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