Eating disorders

Eating Disorders

EDI-2 (Eating Disorder Inventory)

A self-report measure of symptoms.
Assess thinking patterns & behavioral characteristics of anorexia and bulimia.
8 subscales
- 3 about drive for thinness, bulimia, & body dissatisfaction
- 5 measure more general psychological traits relevant to eating disorders
Provides information to clinicians that is helpful in understanding unique experience of each patient.
Guides treatment planning.

Provides an evaluation of body image dissatisfaction & distortion in eating disordered patients.
A visual rating scale.
11 cards containing figure drawings of bodies ranging from emaciated to obese.
Subjects are asked 4 different questions that represent different aspects of body image.

Widely used measure of body-size estimation.
9 schematic figures varying in size.
Subjects choose a shape that represents:
- their “ideal” figure
- how they “feel” they appear
- the figure that represents “society’s ideal” female figure
Used to determine perception of body shape.
Used for self and “target” body size estimation.

Ideally, treatment addresses physical and psychological aspects of an eating disorder.
People with eating disorders often do not recognize or admit that they are ill
- May strongly resist treatment
- Treatment may be long term
E.D. are very complex and because of this several health practitioners may be involved:
- General practitioners, Physicians, Dieticians, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Counselors, etc.
Depending on the severity, an eating disorder is usually treated in an:
- Outpatient setting: individual, family, and group therapy
- Inpatient/Hospital setting: for more extreme cases

Medications can be used for:
- Treatment of depression/anxiety that co-exists with the eating disorder
- Restoration of hormonal balance and bone density
- Encourages weight gain by inducing hunger
- Normalization of the thinking process
Drugs may be used with other forms of therapy
- Antidepressants (SSRI’s such as Zoloft)
  - May suppress the binge-purge cycle
  - May stabilize weight recovery

Allows a trusting relationship to be formed
Difficult issues are addressed, such as:
- Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, difficulties with interpersonal relationships, and body image problems
Several different approaches can be used, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  - Focuses on personal thought processes
- Interpersonal Therapy
  - Addresses relationship difficulties with others
- Rational Emotive Therapy
  - Focuses on unhealthy or untrue beliefs
- Psychoanalysis Therapy
  - Focuses on past experiences

Dieticians or nutritionists are involved
Teaches what a well-balanced diet looks like
- This is essential for recovery
- Useful if they lost track of what “normal eating” is.
Helps to identify their fears about food and the physical consequences of not eating well.

Involves parents, siblings, partner.
Family learns ways to cope with E.D. issues
Family learns healthy ways to deal with E.D.
Educates family members about eating disorders
Can be useful for recovery to address conflict, tension, communication problems, or difficulty expressing feelings within the family

Provides a supportive network
- Members have similar issues
Can address many issues, including:
- Alternative coping strategies
- Exploration of underlying issues
- Ways to change behaviors
- Long-term goals