1. Eating Disorders
Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D.

2. Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
Obesity

3. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Considerable depression, anxiety
Distorted body image
In females, cessation of menstruation
Fainting spells
Hyperactivity
Constipation

4. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Growth of fine body hair on arms, legs
Loss of muscle and body fat
Shortness of breath
Heart tremors
May be heart damage
Cold hands and feet
Hair loss

5. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Shrunken organs
Osteoporosis
Low body temperature
Dry, brittle skin
Low blood pressure
Irregular heart, cardiac arrest

6. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Bulimia nervosa
Cycle of binges and purging with vomiting or laxatives
May also include compulsive exercising
Late teen or young adulthood

7. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Bulimia nervosa
Variation of mood and depression
Vomiting blood, enamel decay
Broken blood vessels
Dry, flaky skin
Weakness and exhaustion
Stomach pain
Constipation

8. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Bulimia nervosa Consequences
Dehydration
Damage to liver and kidneys
Electrolyte imbalance can lead to irregular heart beat, cardiac arrest

9. Characteristics of Eating Disorders
Binge Eating
Overeating sometimes motivated by stress or conflict
Not followed by purging, but feelings of guilt and shame
Depression
Obesity
Feelings of shame, guilt

10. Etiology of Eating Disorders
May be over determined, with multiple causes
Occur during life transitions
1. Puberty
2. Entering high school or college
3. Major loss

11. Etiology of Eating Disorders
May be over determined, with multiple causes
Many family dimensions
1. Excessively controlling parents
2. Poor parent-child boundaries
3. Some family alienation
Interpersonal relationships
Perfectionism

12. Etiology of Eating Disorders
May be over determined, with multiple causes
Inconsistent evidence of family dysfunction
Family difficulty may reflect the impact rather than the cause of dysfunction
Some inconsistent findings of sexual abuse in eating disorders
Not likely to be specific to eating disorders

13. Treatment of Eating Disorders
Biological treatments
Antidepressants as Prozac (fluoxetine) are helpful for Bulimia
No known effective pharmacotherapy for anorexia
Hospitalization is often required
Cognitive behavioral therapies

14. Treatment of Eating Disorders
Psychotherapy
Individual ego-analytical treatment appears to have some impact
Encourage greater autonomy
Family therapy is a common modality
Some positive research (Eisler et a., 1997)
Maintained gains for five years

15. Treatment of Eating Disorders
Psychotherapy
Bulimia nervosa
Treated by cognitive-behavioral therapy (Fairburn and associates, 1985)
Encouraged to challenge social values and views
Introduced more flexible thinking, assertiveness
Encouraged interpersonal skills

16. Treatment of Eating Disorders
Psychotherapy
Bulimia nervosa
Several studies appear to demonstrate efficacy of cognitive behavioral approach
However, a large proportion of individuals do not benefit well