Psychology
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits and a preoccupation with body weight and shape. Common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. These disorders can have severe physical and emotional consequences and often require a combination of psychological, nutritional, and medical interventions for treatment.
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11 Key excerpts on "Eating Disorders"
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Eating Disorders in Women and Children
Prevention, Stress Management, and Treatment, Second Edition
- Kristin Goodheart, James R. Clopton, Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb, Kristin Goodheart, James R. Clopton, Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb(Authors)
- 2011(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
Joiner Jr., P. K. Keel, D. A. Williamson, and R. D. Crosby. 2007. Eating disorder diag-noses. Am Psychol 62: 167–180. Wonderlich, S. A., L. A. Lilenfeld, L. P. Riso, S. Engel, and J. E. Mitchell. 2005. Personality and anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 37: s68–s71. World Health Organization. 1992. International statistical classification of diseases and related health prob-lems. 10 th ed. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. This page intentionally left blank This page intentionally left blank 29 2 The Psychology of Eating Disorders Kristin L. Goodheart, Heather L. Gibson, and James R. Clopton 2.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completing this chapter, you should be able to • Identify aspects of adolescence that contribute to the development of Eating Disorders • Explain why certain people are more susceptible to developing Eating Disorders than others • Identify psychological characteristics, including aspects of personality and emotional experiences, that are often associated with Eating Disorders, and understand how those characteristics might precipitate or perpetuate the disorder • Use your knowledge of psychological characteristics typically associated with eating dis-orders to devise the most appropriate treatment plan for eating disordered women • Identify reasons why ignoring comorbid psychological characteristics in the treatment of Eating Disorders might lead to relapse or failure to recover 2.2 RESEARCH BACKGROUND, SIGNIFICANCE, AND CURRENT FINDINGS Eating Disorders are psychological disorders marked by irregular eating patterns, distress related to food consumption, and an overwhelming desire for thinness. They interfere with a person’s ability to function and often result in physical complications such as infertility, decreased heart rate, and lowered bone density (APA 2000). - eBook - PDF
Nutrition
Science and Applications
- Lori A. Smolin, Mary B. Grosvenor, Debbie Gurfinkel(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
Abnormal eating occurs when a person is overly concerned with food, eating, and body size and shape. When the emotional aspects of food and eating overpower the role of food as nourishment, an eating disorder may develop. Canadian Content Eating Disorders can occur at any point in the life cycle. The most vulnerable time is during ad- olescence, although concerns about body image often start in childhood. The recent Canadian Community Health Sur- vey found that 3.8% of Canadian girls and women (aged 15 to 24 years) were at risk for Eating Disorders and this risk dropped to 2.9% for women 25 to 64 years of age. 1 A study of Canadian adolescents found that 2.2% of males and 4.5% of females met the criteria for an eating disorder. 2 eating disorder A persistent disturbance in eating behaviour or other behaviours that alter food consumption or absorption and impair physical health and psychosocial functioning. What Are Eating Disorders? 721 F7.1 What Are Eating Disorders? LEARNING OBJECTIVE • Name the categories of Eating Disorders described by the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association defines an eating disorder as a disorder “characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behavior that results in the altered con- sumption or absorption of food and that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning.” 3 If untreated Eating Disorders can be fatal. According to mental health guidelines there are several categories of Eating Disorders (Table F7.1). Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme restriction of energy intake, anorexia nervosa An eating disorder characterized by extreme restriction of energy intake, leading to a very low body weight, extreme fear of weight gain, and disturbance in the way that body weight is experienced. - eBook - PDF
Eating Disorders
A Reference Sourcebook
- Raymond Lemberg, Leigh Cohn(Authors)
- 1998(Publication Date)
- Greenwood(Publisher)
PART1 Understanding Eating Disorders: Symptoms and Causes The Eating Disorders: An Introduction by Barbara P. Kinoy, Ph.D., Adele M. Holman, D.S.W., and Ray Lemberg, Ph.D. This chapter discusses the three Eating Disorders— anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eat- ing disorder (also referred to as compulsive over- eating)—as well as "the obesities." For additional information, please see Adrien H. Thurstin's chap- ter, "Behavioral, Physical, and Psychological Symptoms of Eating Disorders," beginning on page 12. ANOREXIA NERVOSA Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder character- ized by a purposeful weight loss far beyond the normal range. Fear of being fat is almost always an overriding factor in this pursuit. A desire to perfect one's self through one's body, and by ex- tension in every other way, is also a strong char- acteristic and can supersede the reality of body structure and function, resulting in a distorted body image. This pursuit can also displace or change other requirements of living, such as family and social relationships. Listed below are behavioral, physical, and emotional symptoms and changes that are a part of the picture of anorexia nervosa. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, will also be reviewed. Similar to anorexia nervosa, bulimia has often been linked with it, and the discussion of each will be overlapping. Finally, binge eating disorder will be discussed. Keep in mind, however, that people do not always fit exactly into the categories of anor- exia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, and thus the line between them may be a fine one. Anorexia nervosa is officially classified into two categories: (1) the restricting type (character- ized by low calorie intake and the absence of binge-eating or purging behavior) and (2) binge- eating/purging type (characterized by calorie re- striction and binge and/or purge behaviors). SYMPTOMS OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA Intense fear of becoming obese, which does not diminish as weight loss progresses. - No longer available |Learn more
- David Sue, Derald Wing Sue, Stanley Sue, Diane Sue, David Sue, Derald Wing Sue, Diane Sue, Stanley Sue(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Cengage Learning EMEA(Publisher)
They are afraid of getting fat and engage in self-starvation. There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa: the restricting type and the binge-eating/purging type. ■ Individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in recurrent binge eating, feel a loss of control over eating, and use vomiting, exercise, or laxatives to attempt to control weight. ■ Individuals with binge-eating disorder also engage in recurrent binge eating and feel a loss of control over eating; however, they do not regularly use purging or exercise to counteract the effects of overeating and are often overweight. ■ Individuals who show atypical patterns of severely disordered eating that do not fully meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder are given the diagnosis of other specified feeding or eating disorder. 2 What are some causes of Eating Disorders? ■ Genetic abnormalities, neurotransmitters, appetitive neural circuitry, and intestinal bacteria are implicated in Eating Disorders. ■ It is believed that societal emphasis on thinness plays a key role in the prevalence of Eating Disorders. ■ Parental attitudes regarding the importance of thinness and peer attitudes about body size and weight can contribute to disordered eating. ■ Countries that are influenced by Western standards have seen an increasing incidence of Eating Disorders. 3 What are some treatment options for Eating Disorders? ■ Many of the therapies for Eating Disorders attempt to teach clients to identify the impact of societal messages regarding thinness and encourage them to develop healthier goals and values. ■ For individuals with anorexia nervosa, medical as well as psychological treatment is necessary, because the body is in starvation mode. The goal is to help clients gain weight, normalize their eating patterns, understand and alter their thoughts related to body image, and develop healthier methods of dealing with stress. - eBook - PDF
Child Psychopathology
From Infancy to Adolescence
- Barry H. Schneider(Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Cambridge University Press(Publisher)
Eating Disorders are among the most heart-rending of the psychological disorders of young people. As will be explained in this chapter, Eating Disorders have been attributed to the evils of modern Western society although, as with most other disorders, genetics, family upbringing and peer pressure are important correlates if not causes. What many see as an epidemic affecting adolescent females has been blamed on the pervasive emphasis on thinness, the breakdown of traditional, orderly thinking patterns as well as changes in the traditional roles of women (e.g., Nasser, Katzman and Gordon, 2001 ). Eating Disorders are complex and often misunderstood. They tend to provoke emotional reactions ranging from bewilderment to fear to mistrust because many people cannot understand why a young person would not comply with the fundamental human need to eat or would assign so much importance to personal appearance that it ruins his or her life (Stein, Latzer and Merick, 2009 ). In Western countries, mass media portray thinness as an ideal to impressionable young women (see meta-analysis by Groesz, Levine and Murnen, 2002 ). Young men are bombarded with media images emphasizing a muscular appearance (Agliata and Tantleff-Dunn, 2004 ). In parallel, “fast food” enterprises are increasingly “supersizing” the food they serve, contributing to a parallel epidemic of obesity among young people male and female. Although the pressures of modern society are often implicated in the probable increase in Eating Disorders in recent years, case studies indicate that these disorders were of concern even in ancient times. Parry-Jones and Parry-Jones ( 1991 ), in a historical account of the emergence of the phenomenon now known as bulimia nervosa, cite the case of Matthew Dakin, which was reported in medical journals in 1745. - eBook - PDF
- Kanter, Jonathan W., Woods, Douglas W.(Authors)
- 1(Publication Date)
- Context Press(Publisher)
Eating Disorders 271 Chapter 10 Eating Disorders: A New Behavioral Perspective and Acceptance-Based Treatment Approach Georg H. Eifert Chapman University Laurie A. Greco University of Missouri-St. Louis Michelle Heffner West Virginia University Ashleigh Louis Chapman University We begin this chapter by briefly discussing diagnostic criteria for anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating and describing correlates and risk factors that have been linked to the development and maintenance of this class of disorders. Next, we describe existing cognitive-behavioral theoretical models and then outline a functional behavioral approach that posits experiential avoidance and control efforts as the basis for Eating Disorders. Based on this functional formulation, we outline the core components of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach to the treatment of Eating Disorders. Diagnostic Definitions Anorexia and bulimia are the two most widely studied Eating Disorders. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV- TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000), a person diagnosed with anorexia demonstrates extremely low body weight, self-starvation, fear of weight gain, body image disturbance, and amenorrhea for at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. The amenorrhea criterion is not applicable for women using a hormonal birth control method regulating the menstrual cycle (Walsh & Garner, 1997). DSM-IV-TR specifies two types of anorexia. Restricting type is characterized by caloric restriction alone, whereas binge-purge type is characterized by caloric restriction plus binge eating and engagement in compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives abuse, diet pills use, and/or diuretics. 272 Chapter 10 Bulimia is characterized by heightened body image concerns, binge eating, and compensatory behavior. Based on the type of compensatory behavior, DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) specifies purging and non-purging types. - eBook - PDF
Abnormal Psychology
The Science and Treatment of Psychological Disorders
- Ann M. Kring, Sheri L. Johnson(Authors)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
These types of attitudes and beliefs are not consistent with the current research on Eating Disorders. More broadly, there is stigma about body shape and weight, particularly for women. The cultural expectation for women is that they be thin, but some women are pushing back via social media. For example, the model Tess Holliday has written a book called The Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl: Love the Skin You’re In and has posted many photos on Instagram proudly showcasing her size 22 body. Other hashtags, such as #bodyshaming and #bodyacceptance, are appearing on Instagram and Twitter with increasing frequency. Clinical Descriptions of Eating Disorders We will discuss three DSM-5 Eating Disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Although DSM-5 includes subtypes and specifiers for these three disorders, the validity for these categories is poor, and thus we do not discuss them here (Smith, Ellison, et al., 2017). DSM-5 also includes disorders of early childhood such as pica (eating nonfood substances for extended periods), rumination disorder (repeated regurgitation of foods), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (diminished inter- est in food based mostly on the sensory aspects of food). Anorexia Nervosa Lynne, the woman described in the chapter-opening Clinical Case, had anorexia nervosa. The term anorexia refers to loss of appetite, and nervosa indicates that the loss is due to emotional reasons. The term is something of a misnomer because most people with anorexia nervosa do not lose their appetite or interest in food. On the contrary, while starving themselves, most people with the disorder become preoccupied with food; they may read cookbooks constantly and prepare gourmet meals for their families. Lynne exhibited all three features of anorexia nervosa (see Defining Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa): Tess Holliday celebrates her body size and is a successful model. - eBook - PDF
The Troubled Mind
A Handbook of Therapeutic Approaches to Psychological Distress
- Susy Churchill(Author)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Red Globe Press(Publisher)
139 Chapter 8 Clients with Disturbed Eating INTRODUCTION In the last chapter we considered conditions that can affect children and young people, except Eating Disorders, which are classified separately and are the subject of this chapter. Eating distress (ED) is one of the most worry-ing forms of emotional disturbance in an adolescent or young adult. NICE 9 (2004: 8) states: ‘About 1 in 250 females and 1 in 2000 males will experi-ence anorexia nervosa, generally in adolescence or young adulthood. About five times that number will suffer from bulimia nervosa … anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder of adolescence.’ Working with an individual whose behaviour puts their life at risk raises huge ethical dilemmas for the therapist, in balancing autonomy and non-maleficence . If substance misuse represents ‘excessive appetites’, does eating distress really indicate a denial or distortion of appetite? ‘Anorexia’ means lack of appetite, but most anorexics do experience hunger, so what leads to the distorted perceptions of their own bodies that can lead some to literally starve themselves to death? Central factors in any eating disorder are low self-esteem, issues relating to perceived control, and a focus on shape and/ or weight as the dominant feature in self-evaluation. We consider theoreti-cal views of what causes Eating Disorders and research into these and into treatment effectiveness. The DSM classifications of anorexia and bulimia are explored, including the ‘not otherwise specified’ category in which binge-eating is placed. I present my own model of different presentations of eating distress and its implications for therapists. The NICE guideline is summarised before we consider how both a specialist Eating Disorders therapist and a non-specialist might work with clients presenting with eating distress. - eBook - PDF
Abnormal Psychology
The Science and Treatment of Psychological Disorders, DSM-5-TR Update
- Ann M. Kring, Sheri L. Johnson(Authors)
- 2022(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
These types of attitudes and beliefs are not consistent with the current research on Eating Disorders. More broadly, there is stigma about body shape and weight, particularly for women. The cultural expectation for women is that they be thin, but some women are pushing back via social media. For example, the model Tess Holliday has written a book called The Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl: Love the Skin You’re In and has posted many photos on Instagram proudly showcasing her size 22 body. Other hashtags, such as #bodyshaming and #bodyacceptance, are appearing on Instagram and Twitter with increasing frequency. Clinical Descriptions of Eating Disorders We will discuss three DSM-5-TR Eating Disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Although DSM-5-TR includes subtypes and specifiers for these three disorders, the validity for these categories is poor, and thus we do not discuss them here (Smith, Ellison, et al., 2017). DSM-5 also includes disorders of early childhood such as pica (eating nonfood substances for extended periods), rumination disorder (repeated regurgitation of foods), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (diminished interest in food based mostly on the sensory aspects of food). Anorexia Nervosa Lynne, the woman described in the chapter-opening Clinical Case, had anorexia nervosa. The term anorexia refers to loss of appetite, and nervosa indicates that the loss is due to emotional reasons. The term is something of a misnomer because most people with anorexia nervosa do not lose their appetite or interest in food. On the contrary, while starving themselves, most people with the disorder become preoccupied with food; they may read cookbooks constantly and prepare gourmet meals for their families. Lynne exhibited all three features of anorexia nervosa (see Defining Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa): Tess Holliday celebrates her body size and is a successful model. - eBook - PDF
Psychological Responses to Eating Disorders and Obesity
Recent and Innovative Work
- Julia Buckroyd, Sharon Rother, Julia Buckroyd, Sharon Rother(Authors)
- 2008(Publication Date)
- Wiley-Interscience(Publisher)
European Eating Disorders Review , 12 , 18–26. van Hanswijck de Jonge, P., van Furth E.F., Lacey, J.H. & Waller, G. (2003). The preva-lence of DSM-IV personality pathology among individuals with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and obesity. Psychological Medicine , 33 , 1311–17. Waller, G. (1993). Why do we diagnose different types of eating disorder? Arguments for a change in research and clinical practice. Eating Disorders Review , 1 , 74–89. Waller, G. (2005). Psychological perspectives on atypical diagnoses in the eating dis-orders. In C. Norring & R. Palmer (eds), EDNOS: Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified . London: Routledge. Waller, G., Cordery, H., Corstorphine, E. et al. (2007). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Eating Disorders: A Comprehensive Treatment Guide . Cambridge: Cambridge Uni-versity Press. Waller, G., Kennerley, H. & Ohanian, V. (2007a). Schema-focused cognitive behavioral therapy with Eating Disorders. In L.P. Riso, P.L. du Toit, D.J. Stein & J.E. Young (eds), Cognitive Schemas and Core Beliefs in Psychiatric Disorders: A Scientist-Practitioner Guide (pp. 139–75). New York: American Psychological Association. Waller, G., Patient, E., Corstorphine, E. et al. (2005). Cognitive behaviour therapy for bulimic disorders: Effectiveness in non-research settings. Paper presented at the Eating Disorders Research Society Meeting, Toronto, Canada, September. World Health Organisation. (1992). ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines . Geneva: World Health Organisation. CHAPTER 5 ADDRESSING EMOTIONS IN THE Eating Disorders: SCHEMA MODE WORK EMMA CORSTORPHINE, Institute of Psychiatry, UK Concerns about eating, shape and weight are central, for the majority of peo-ple with Eating Disorders, to the maintenance of their problem. However, for a significant number, these cognitions are not the pivotal maintaining factor of their behaviour. - eBook - PDF
- Gordon L. Flett, Nancy L. Kocovski, Gerald C. Davison, John M. Neale(Authors)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
This effect, labelled the thinspi- ration effect, can begin a process of dieting that can ultimately lead to distress among dieters unable to attain unrealistic body-image standards. Another important factor in producing a strong drive for thinness and disturbed body image is criticism from peers and parents about being overweight (Paxton et al., 1991). In one study supporting this conclusion (Paxton et al., 1991), adoles- cent girls aged 10 to 15 were evaluated twice, with a three-year interval between assessments. Obesity at the first assessment was related to being teased by peers and at the second assess- ment to dissatisfaction with their bodies. Dissatisfaction was in turn related to symptoms of eating disorder. It is known that bingeing results frequently when diets are broken (Polivy & Herman, 1985). Thus, a lapse that occurs in the strict dieting of a person with anorexia nervosa is likely to escalate into a binge. The purging following an episode of binge eating can again be seen as motivated by the fear of weight gain that the binge elicited. Clients with anorexia who do not have episodes of bingeing and purging may have a more intense preoccupation with and fear of weight gain (Schlundt & Johnson, 1990) or may be more able to exercise self-control. Psychodynamic Views There are many psychodynamic theories of Eating Disorders. Most propose that the core cause lies in disturbed parent–child relationships and agree that certain core personality traits, such as low self-esteem and perfectionism, are found among individuals with Eating Disorders. Psychodynamic theories also propose that the symptoms of an eating disorder fulfill some need, such as the need to increase one’s sense of personal effec- tiveness (the person succeeds in maintaining a strict diet) or to avoid growing up sexually (by being very thin, the person does not achieve the usual female shape) (Goodsitt, 1997). Accord- ing to Canadian researchers Howard Steiger and Mimi Israel
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