Anorexia Features and Symptoms Have a look at this picture, what are your thoughts?

Learning outcomes 1) Describe the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. 2) Look at some of the explanation of anorexia nervosa.

What is anorexia? It is a mental health illness which is put into the eating disorder category. Severe problems with eating. Anxiety about their weight. Sufferers keep weight as low as possible Strictly control what they eat.

Behavioural symptoms Irritability & difficulty interacting with other people. Decrease in concentration levels Difficulty sleeping and fatigue during the day. Compulsive and obsessive behaviours around cleanliness, tidiness and exercise.

Behavioural symptoms continued… Obsessive about their body/appearance. Obsessive about food/ fat/ calories. High academic achievers. Constant strive for perfection.

Physical symptoms Weight loss Dry/flaky skin Downy hair growing on the face, back and arms. Hair thinning or loss. Brittle nails.

Medical complications of anorexia: Slow heart rate Low blood pressure Arrhythmia Constipation Abdominal pain Hormone imbalance Slow thyroid function Osteoporosis Kidney failure Anaemia Loss of periods Potential high risk of infection and suppressed immunity Death

Anorexic behaviours Extreme use of laxatives Over exercise Strict calorie counting Making themselves sick after eating Obsessive about food

Statistics on anorexia Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness. It is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women (HSU, 1996) Approximately 1 in 10 cases of anorexia are males (This is rising).

Causes Anorexics usually have problems in their lives so regulate what they eat to have control over something. Anorexia is often linked to severe anxiety.

Video clip http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5284619n

Prevalence 90% of cases are female between 13-18 years Rarely begins before puberty DSM-IV states it occurs in 0.5-1% of females in adolescence and early adulthood

Prognosis Variable – 20% have one episode and recover completely, while 60% follow an episodic pattern of weight gain and relapse over a number of years Remaining 20% continue to be affected and often require hospitalisation Mortality rate of those admitted to hospital is over 10% due to starvation or suicide.

Exam Questions You have learned about a study that investigates one disorder other than schizophrenia. Outline the findings (results and/or conclusions) of this study. Identify the study in your answer. (3 Marks) (b)Evaluate the study that you have outlined in (a).(5Marks)

Homework Go to 4OD and watch Supersize Vs Super Skinny. Bring with you a list of explanations for eating disorders that your episode discusses.