3. Why is this so important?
3
81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat
51% of 9 & 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are
on a diet
91% college women who had attempted to control their weight
through dieting
22% dieted "often" or "always“
95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years
55% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting
35% of these progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders
Americans spend over $50 billion on dieting and products each
year
58 million of the adult U.S. population are overweight or obese
up from 25% of American adults in 1980 to 33% today
Adapted from: http://www.divorcedoc.com/psychotherapy/statistics.htm
4. What Causes Eating Disorders?
4
Most theorists subscribe to a multidimensional
risk perspective:
Several key factors place individuals at risk
More factors = greater risk
Leading factors:
Sociocultural conditions (societal and family pressures)
Psychological problems (ego, cognitive, and mood disturbances)
Biological factors
5. Eating Disorders:Etiology
5
• Genetics
– Relatives of patients with anorexia are eight times more
likely to develop an eating disorder
– Twin studies:
• Monozygotic twins have a 58-76% concordance, while dizygotic
twins with 35-45% concordance
• Monozygotic twins have a 46%-56% concordance, while dizygotic
twins with 18%-35% concordance for bulimia
• Neurochemical
– Serotonin precursor (5-HIAA) reduced in anorexia when
ill and normalize upon recovery
– Recovery from bulima associated with high levels of
serotonin
6. Eating Disorders:Etiology
Psychosocial
6
Difficulty with transition to adulthood
Changes of body associated with puberty
Adult autonomy
Stressful times of transition
Family conflicts
Ineffective attempts to cope with stress
7. What Causes Eating Disorders?
Societal Pressures
7
Many theorists believe that current Western
standards of female attractiveness have contributed
to increases in eating disorders
Standards have changed throughout history toward a thinner
ideal
Miss America contestants have declined in weight by 0.28 lbs/yr;
winners have declined by 0.37 lbs/yr
Playboy centerfolds have lower average weight, bust, and hip
measurements than in the past
8. What Causes Eating Disorders? Societal Pressures
8
Certain groups are at greater risk from these
pressures:
Models, actors, dancers, and certain athletes
Of college athletes surveyed, 9% met full criteria for an eating
disorder while another 50% had symptoms
20% of surveyed gymnasts met full criteria for an eating disorder
9. What Causes Eating Disorders? Societal Pressures
9
Societal attitudes may explain economic and racial
differences seen in prevalence rates
In the past, white women of higher SES expressed more
concern about thinness and dieting
These women had higher rates of eating disorders than African
American women or white women of lower SES
Recently, dieting and preoccupation with food, along with rates
of eating disorders, are increasing in all groups
10. What Causes Eating Disorders? Societal Pressures
10
The socially accepted prejudice against overweight
people may also add to the “fear” and preoccupation
about weight
About 50% of elementary and 61% of middle school girls are
currently dieting
12. Did you know that…
12
15% of young women in the United States (who are
NOT diagnosed with an eating disorder), have
disordered eating attitudes and behavior, according
to the National Institute of Mental Health.
13. Eating Disorders:
Sociocultural Factors
13
• Anne Becker, Harvard researcher, studied the influence of
American television on eating patterns in Fiji
– Fiji had traditionally been a nation that has cherished the fuller figure
• Since the arrival of TV to the island of Fiji in 1995, the
percentage of eating disorders among young girls aged 15-19
years increased from 3% to 15%
• The number of girls dieting (62 per cent) and girls feeling "too
big or fat" (74 per cent) has also increased since 1995.
• It is believed that the sudden infusion of Western cultural images
and values through TV changed the way Fijian girls view
themselves and their bodies
14. What Causes Eating Disorders? Family Environment
14
Families may play an important role in the
development of eating disorders
As many as half of the families of those with eating disorders
have a long history of emphasizing thinness, appearance, and
dieting
Mothers of those with eating disorders are more likely to be
dieters and perfectionistic themselves
15. What Causes Eating Disorders? Family Environment
15
Abnormal family interactions and forms of
communication within a family may also set the
stage for an eating disorder
Minuchin cites “enmeshed family patterns” as causal
factors of eating disorders
These patterns include overinvolvement in, and overconcern
about, family member’s lives
16. What Causes Eating Disorders?
Ego Deficiencies and Cognitive Disturbances
16
Bruch argues that eating disorders are the result of
disturbed mother–child interactions, which lead to
serious ego deficiencies in the child and to severe
cognitive disturbances
17. What Causes Eating Disorders?
Ego Deficiencies and Cognitive Disturbances
17
According to Bruch, parents may respond to their
children either effectively or ineffectively
Effective parents accurately attend to a child’s biological
and emotional needs
Ineffective parents fail to attend to child’s internal needs;
they feed when the child is anxious, comfort when the
child is tired, etc.
There is some empirical support for Bruch’s theory
from clinical reports
18. What Causes Eating Disorders? Mood Disorders
18
Many people with eating disorders, particularly
those with bulimia nervosa, experience symptoms of
depression
Theorists believe mood disorders may “set the stage” for eating
disorders
19. What Causes Eating Disorders? Mood Disorders
19
There is empirical support for the claim that mood
disorders set the stage for eating disorders:
Many more people with an eating disorder qualify for a
clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder than do
people in the general population
Close relatives of those with eating disorders seem to
have higher rates of mood disorders
People with eating disorders, especially those with
bulimia nervosa, have low levels of serotonin
Symptoms of eating disorders are helped by
antidepressant medications
20. What Causes Eating Disorders? BiologicalFactors
20
Biological theorists suspect certain genes may leave
some people particularly susceptible to eating
disorders
Consistent with this model:
Relatives of people with eating disorders are 6 times more likely to
develop the disorder themselves
Identical (MZ) twins with bulimia: 23%
Fraternal (DZ) twins with bulimia: 9%
These findings may be related to low serotonin
21. What Causes Eating Disorders? Biological Factors
21
Other theorists believe that eating disorders may be
related to dysfunction of the hypothalamus
Researchers have identified two separate areas that control
eating:
Lateral hypothalamus (LH)
Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)
22. What Causes Eating Disorders? Biological Factors
22
Some theorists believe that the LH and VMH are
responsible for weight set point – a “weight
thermostat” of sorts
Set by genetic inheritance and early eating practices, this
mechanism is responsible for keeping an individual at a
particular weight level
If weight falls below set point: Ý hunger, ß metabolism Þ binges
If weight rises above set point: ß hunger, Ý metabolism
Dieters end up in a fight against themselves to lose weight
23. Eating Disorders: Risk Factors
23
Activities with
heightened
weight/shape demands
Childhood obesity
Familial psychiatric
history and/or obesity
Diabetes
Routine Dieting or
restrained eating
Premorbid personality
disorder(s)
24. Eating Disorders
24
Although not historically true, current Western
beauty standards equate thinness with health and
beauty
Thinness has become a national obsession!
There has been a rise in eating disorders in the
past three decades
Two main diagnoses:
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
26. ED Changes from DSM IV TR- DSM 5
DSM IV TR
Pica, Rumination, and
Avoidant/Restrictive in
chapter of disorders
usually 1st diagnosed in
infancy, childhood, or
adolescence
No Binge Eating
Disorder
DSM 5
Pica Rumination, &
Avoidant/Restrictive in
ED chapter
Recognition of Binge
Eating Disorder
Anorexia Nervosa &
Bulimia Nervosa
criteria updated
27. Eating Disorders
Can only be diagnosed with one of the following at
any given time:
Rumination Disorder
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
28. EDs: (307.51/F50.8)Binge Eating Disorder (p. 380)
DSM IV TR:
Appendix B: Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further
Study
Diagnosed as ED NOS
DSM 5:
Added BED to Feeding and Eating Disorders chapter
Recognition that a large percentage of ED NOS diagnoses
could be attributed to BED
More severe and less common than overeating and
associated with significant physical and psychological
problems
Criteria A-E will must be met
29. Binge Eating Disorder Criteria (p. 350)
A.Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of
binge eating is characterized by both of the
following:
1. Eating, in a discrete period of time (w/in 2-hour
period), an amount of food that is definitely larger
than what most people would eat in a similar
period of time under similar circumstances.
1. A sense of lack of control over eating during the
episode (e.g. feeling that one cannot stop eating
or control what or how much one is eating).
30. Binge Eating Disorder Criteria (p. 350)
B. The binge-eating episodes are associated with
3/more of the following:
1. Eating much more rapidly than normal.
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
3. Eating large amounts of food when not feeling
physically hungry.
4. Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by
how much one is eating.
5. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very
guilty afterward.
31. Binge Eating Disorder Criteria (p. 350)
C. Marked distress regarding binge eating is
present.
D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least
once a week for 3 months.
E. The binge eating is not associated with the
recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory
behavior as in bulimia nervosa and does not
occur exclusively during the course of bulimia
nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
32. Binge Eating Disorder Specifiers (p. 350)
Partial/Full Remission After full criteria for
BED were met, binge-eating disorder were
previously met,
Partial: Binge eating occurs at an average frequency of less
than one episode per week for a sustained period of time.
Full: none of the criteria have been met for a sustained
period of time.
Severity
Mild: 1-3 episodes of binge eating each week
Moderate: 4-7 episodes of binge eating each
week
Severe: 8-13 episodes of binge eating each week
Extreme: 14/more episodes of binge eating each
week
33. BED: Associated Features
Prevalence: (p. 351)
12 month prevalence among adults:
Female: 1.6%
Males: .8%
Development & Course : (p. 352)
Binge eating usually precedes BED whereas dieting usually
precedes onset of binge eating in bulimia nervosa)
Treatment seeking BED clients are usually older than AN/BN
treatment seeking clients
Course: persistent, similar to BN in severity & duration
Risk and Prognostic Factors: Indication of
Genetic predisposition
34. BED: Associated Features
Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues
Similar across industrialized countries
Similar across ethnicities
Functional Consequences
Social role adjustment problems
Impaired health-related quality of life & life satisfaction
Increased medical morbidity & mortality
Increased health care utilization compared with BMI-matched
control subjects
35. BED: Associated Features
Differential Diagnosis
Bulimia Nervosa:
BED doesn’t have recurrent compensatory (purge/exercise) behavior
BED consistently higher rates of improvement than BN
Obesity:
BED higher rates of overvaluation of body weight and shape
BED rates of psychiatric comorbidity are significantly higher
BED better outcomes
Bipolar & MDD can be given in addition to BED if meet full criteria for
both
Borderline PD & BED can be given if meet full criteria for both
Comorbidity *linked to severity of BED not degree of
obesity*
Most common: bipolar, depressive, & anxiety disorders
Less common: substance use disorders
36. EDs: Anorexia Nervosa
Several minor but important changes in criteria:
Criterion A DSM 5:
Focuses on behaviors indicating AN like restricting calorie intake
No longer includes the word “refusal” in terms of weight
maintenance – implies intention – hard to assess
Elimination of Criterion D DSM IV TR: Amenorrhea
required
Cannot be applied to males, premenstrual females, females taking
oral contraceptives, and post-menopausal females
May have other AN criteria and still have some menstrual activity
37. Anorexia Nervosa
37
There are two main subtypes:
Restricting type
Lose weight by restricting “bad” foods, eventually restricting
nearly all food
Show almost no variability in diet
Binge-eating/purging type
Lose weight by vomiting after meals, abusing laxatives or
diuretics, or engaging in excessive exercise
Like those with bulimia nervosa, people with this subtype may
engage in eating binges
38. Anorexia Nervosa
38
About 90%–95% of cases occur in females
The peak age of onset is between 14 and 18 years
Between 0.5% and 2% of females in Western
countries develop the disorder
Many more display some symptoms
Rates of anorexia nervosa are increasing in North
America, Japan, and Europe
39. Anorexia Nervosa
39
The “typical” case:
A normal to slightly overweight female has been on a diet
Escalation to anorexia nervosa may follow a stressful
event
Separation of parents
Move or life transition
Experience of personal failure
Most patients recover
However, about 2% to 6% become seriously ill and die as a result
of medical complications or suicide
40. Anorexia Nervosa: The Clinical Picture
40
The key goal for people with anorexia nervosa is
becoming thin
The driving motivation is fear:
Of becoming obese
Of giving in to the desire to eat
Of losing control of body shape and weight
41. Anorexia Nervosa: The Clinical Picture
41
Despite their dietary restrictions, people with
anorexia are preoccupied with food
This includes thinking and reading about food and planning
for meals
This preoccupation may be the result of food deprivation
rather than its cause
Famous 1940s “starvation study” with conscientious objectors
42. Anorexia Nervosa: The Clinical Picture
42
People with anorexia nervosa also think in
distorted ways:
Often have a low opinion of their body shape
Tend to overestimate their actual proportions
Adjustable lens assessment technique
Hold maladaptive attitudes and misperceptions
“I must be perfect in every way”
“I will be a better person if I deprive myself”
“I can avoid guilt by not eating”
43. Anorexia Nervosa: The Clinical Picture
43
People with anorexia may also display certain
psychological problems:
Depression (usually mild)
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
Substance abuse
Obsessive-compulsive patterns
Perfectionism
44. Anorexia Nervosa: Medical Problems
44
Caused by starvation:
Amenorrhea
Low body temperature
Low blood pressure
Body swelling
Reduced bone density
Slow heart rate
Metabolic and electrolyte
imbalances
Dry skin, brittle nails
Poor circulation
Lanugo
45. EDs: Bulimia Nervosa
Basically the same criteria EXCEPT
Compensatory behaviors:
DSM IV TR 2x/week
DSM 5 1 time/week
46. Bulimia Nervosa
46
Bulimia nervosa, also known as “binge-purge
syndrome,” is characterized by binges:
Bouts of uncontrolled overeating during a limited period
Eats more than most people would/could eat in a similar period
47. Bulimia Nervosa
47
The disorder is also characterized by compensatory
behaviors, such as:
Vomiting
Misusing laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
Fasting
Exercising excessively
48. Bulimia Nervosa
48
Like anorexia nervosa, about 90%–95% of bulimia
nervosa cases occur in females
The peak age of onset is between 15 and 21 years
Symptoms may last for several years with periodic
letup
49. Bulimia Nervosa
49
Patients are generally of normal weight
Often experience weight fluctuations
Some may also qualify for a diagnosis of anorexia
51. Bulimia Nervosa
51
Teens and young adults have frequently attempted
binge-purge patterns as a means of weight loss,
often after hearing accounts of bulimia from
friends or the media
In one study:
50% of college students reported periodic binges
6% tried vomiting
8% experimented with laxatives at least once
Surveys suggest that as many as 5% of women
develop the full syndrome
52. Bulimia Nervosa: Binges
52
For people with bulimia nervosa, the number of
binges per week can range from 2 to 40
Average: 10 per week
Binges are often carried out in secret
Binges involve eating massive amounts of food rapidly
with little chewing
Usually sweet foods with soft texture
Binge-eaters commonly consume more than 1000
calories (often more than 3000 calories) per binge
episode
53. Bulimia Nervosa: Binges
53
Binges are usually preceded by feelings of tension
and/or powerlessness
Although the binge itself may be pleasurable, it is
usually followed by feelings of extreme self-blame,
guilt, depression, and fears of weight gain and
“discovery”
54. Bulimia Nervosa:
Compensatory Behaviors
54
After a binge, people with bulimia nervosa try to
compensate for and “undo” the caloric effects
The most common compensatory behaviors:
Vomiting
Fails to prevent the absorption of half the calories consumed
during a binge
Affects ability to feel satiated Þ greater hunger and bingeing
Laxatives and diuretics
Also almost completely fail to reduce the number of calories
consumed
55. Bulimia Nervosa: Compensatory Behaviors
55
Compensatory behaviors may temporarily relieve the
negative feelings attached to binge eating
Over time, however, a cycle develops in which purging Þ
bingeing Þ purging
56. Bulimia Nervosa
56
The “typical” case:
A normal to slightly overweight female has been on an intense
diet
Research suggests that even among normal subjects, bingeing
often occurs after strict dieting
For example, a study of binge-eating behavior in a low-calorie
weight loss program found that 62% of patients reported binge-eating
episodes during treatment
57. Bulimia Nervosa vs. Anorexia Nervosa
57
Similarities:
Onset after a period of dieting
Fear of becoming obese
Drive to become thin
Preoccupation with food, weight, appearance
Elevated risk of self-harm or attempts at suicide
Feelings of anxiety, depression, perfectionism
Substance abuse
Disturbed attitudes toward eating
58. Bulimia Nervosa vs. Anorexia Nervosa
58
Differences:
People with bulimia are more worried about pleasing
others, being attractive to others, and having intimate
relationships
People with bulimia tend to be more sexually experienced
People with bulimia display fewer of the obsessive
qualities that drive restricting-type anorexia
People with bulimia are more likely to have histories of
mood swings, low frustration tolerance, and poor coping
59. Bulimia Nervosa vs. Anorexia Nervosa
59
Differences:
People with bulimia tend to be controlled by emotion –
may change friendships easily
People with bulimia are more likely to display
characteristics of a personality disorder
Different medical complications:
Only half of women with bulimia experience amenorrhea vs.
almost all women with anorexia
People with bulimia suffer damage caused by purging, especially
from vomiting and laxatives
60. Treatments for Eating Disorders
60
Eating disorder treatments have two main goals:
Correct abnormal eating patterns
Address broader psychological and situational factors that
have led to and are maintaining the eating problem
This often requires the participation of family and friends
61. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
61
The initial aims of treatment for anorexia nervosa
are to:
Restore proper weight
Recover from malnourishment
Restore proper eating
62. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
62
In the past, treatment took place in a hospital
setting; it is now often offered in an outpatient
setting
In life-threatening cases, clinicians may need to
force tube and intravenous feedings on the patient
This may breed distrust in the patient and create a power
struggle
Most common technique now is the use of
supportive nursing care and high-calorie diets
Necessary weight gain is often achieved in 8 to 12 weeks
63. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
63
Researchers have found that people with anorexia
must overcome their underlying psychological
problems to achieve lasting improvement
64. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
64
Therapists use a mixture of therapy and education
to achieve this broader goal, using a combination
of individual, group, and family approaches
One focus of treatment is building autonomy and self-awareness
Therapists help patients recognize their need for independence
and control
Therapists help patients recognize and trust their internal feelings
65. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
65
Another focus of treatment is correcting disturbed
cognitions, especially client misperceptions and
attitudes about eating and weight
Using cognitive approaches, therapists correct disturbed
cognitions and educate about body distortions
66. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
66
Another focus of treatment is changing family
interactions
Family therapy is important for anorexia
The main issue is often separation
67. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
67
The use of combined treatment approaches has
greatly improved the outlook for people with
anorexia nervosa
But even with combined treatment, recovery is difficult
The course and outcome of the disorder vary from
person to person
68. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
68
Positives of treatment:
Weight gain is often quickly restored
83% of patients still showed improvements
after several years
Menstruation often returns with return to normal weight
The death rate from anorexia is declining
69. Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
69
Negatives of treatment:
Close to 20% of patients remain troubled for years
Even when it occurs, recovery is not always permanent
Anorexic behaviors recur in at least one-third of recovered
patients, usually triggered by stress
Many patients still express concerns about body shape and weight
Lingering emotional problems are common
70. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
70
Treatment is frequently offered in specialized eating
disorder clinics
71. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
71
The initial aims of treatment for bulimia nervosa are
to:
Eliminate binge-purge patterns
Establish good eating habits
Eliminate the underlying cause of bulimic patterns
Programs emphasize education as much as therapy
72. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
72
Several treatment strategies:
Individual insight therapy
The insight approach receiving the most attention is cognitive
therapy, which helps clients recognize and change their
maladaptive attitudes toward food, eating, weight, and shape
As many as 65% stop their binge-purge cycle
73. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
73
Several treatment strategies:
Individual insight therapy
If cognitive therapy isn’t effective, interpersonal therapy (IPT), a
treatment that seeks to improve interpersonal functioning, may be
tried
A number of clinicians also suggest self-help groups or self-care
manuals
74. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
74
Several treatment strategies:
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral techniques are often included in treatment as a
supplement to cognitive therapy
Diaries are often a useful component of treatment
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is used to break the
binge-purge cycle
75. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
75
Several treatment strategies:
Antidepressant medications
During the past decade, antidepressant drugs have been used in
bulimia treatment
Most common is fluoxetine (Prozac), an SSRI
Drugs help as many as 40% of patients
Medications are best when used in combination with other forms
of therapy
76. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
76
Several treatment strategies:
Group therapy
Provides an opportunity for patients to express their thoughts,
concerns, and experiences with one another
Helpful in as many as 75% of cases, especially when combined
with individual insight therapy
77. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
77
Left untreated, bulimia can last for years
Treatment provides immediate, significant
improvement in about 40% of cases
An additional 40% show moderate improvement
Follow-up studies suggest that 10 years after
treatment about 90% of patients have fully or
partially recovered
78. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
78
Relapse can be a significant problem, even among
those who respond successfully to treatment
Relapses are usually triggered by stress
Relapses are more likely among persons who:
Had a longer history of symptoms
Vomited frequently
Had histories of substance use
Have lingering interpersonal problems
79. Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa
79
Finally, treatment may also help improve overall
psychological and social functioning
Notas del editor
Pica, Rumination & Avoidant/Restrictive moved to ED.
Binge ED Recognized – reduce ED NOS
“In recent years, clinicians and researchers have realized that a significant number of individuals with eating disorders did not fit into the DSM-IV categories of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. By default, many received a diagnosis of “eating disorder not otherwise specified.” Studies have suggested that a significant portion of individuals in that “not otherwise specified” category may actually have binge eating disorder” (APA Fact Sheet on Feeding and Eating Disorders).
AN and BN criteria updated.
Mutually exclusive diagnostic criteria exist for disorders having similar features they differ significantly in other areas (pg. 329):
Rumination disorder
Avoidant/restirctive food intake disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge-Eating Disorder
We will go review the specific criteria for Binge Eating Disorder on the following slides.
Associated Features: (351)
Normal and overweight and obese individuals
Distinct from obesity. Most obese individuals do not engage in recurrent binge eating.
“Obese individuals with BED consume more calories in lab studies of eating behavior and have greater functional impairment, lower quality of life, more subjective distress, and greater psychiatric comorbidity than obese individuals without BED” (p. 351).
Diagnostic Features (p. 351)
“The context in which the eating occurs may affect the clinician’s estimation of whether the intake is excessive. For example, a quantity of food that might be regarded as excessive during a typical meal might be considered normal during a celebration or holiday meal.”
Discrete Period of Time: usually less than 2 hours
Single episode: may not be restricted to one setting (i.e. restaurant & home but not continual snacking on small amounts of food throughout the day.)
Sense of lack of Control:
”inability to refrain from eating or to stop eating once started.”
Dissociative quality during or following
May be able to stop if someone enters the room unexpectedly
May be described as acute loss of control or general pattern of uncontrolled eating
Binges can be planned
Or
May have stopped trying to control eating
Diagnostic Features:
“Binge eating seems to be characterized more by an abnormality in the amount of food consumed than by a craving for a specific nutrient” (p. 351).
Typically ashamed of their eating problems
Secrecy: Attempt to conceal their symptoms
Triggers:
Negative affect (emotion regulation)
Interpersonal stressors
Dietary restraint
Negative feelings related to body weight, body shape, and food
Boredom
“Binge eating may be minimized or mitigate factors that precipitated the episode in the short-term” (it works initially) “but negative self-evaluation and dysphoria often are delayed consequences”
(indicates a addictive/relapse cycle)
Prevalence:
12 month prevalence among 18yo/older:
Female: 1.6%
Males: .8%
Less skewed in BED than bulimia nervosa
As frequent among racial/ethnic minorities as white women
More prevalent among those seeking weight-loss treatment than general population
Development: not much known about development of BED
Associated with increased body fat, weight gain, and increases in psychological symptoms
Common in adolescent and college-age samples
Loss of control eating or episodic binge eating may represent a prodromal phase of eating disorders for some individuals.
Binge eating usually precedes BED whereas dieting usually precedes onset of binge eating in bulimia nervosa)
Usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood, but can begin in later adulthood.
Course:
Remission rates in both natural course and treatment outcome studies are higher for binge-eating disorder than for bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
Relatively persistent, course is comparable to BN in terms of severity and duration
Crossover from BED to AN/BN is uncommon
Risk & Prognostic Factors:
“BED appears to run in families, which may reflect additive genetic influences” (p. 352).
Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues:
Prevalence of BED similar across industrialized countries and among Latinos, Asians, Caucasians, and African Americans.
Functional Consequences of BED: Associated with
Social role adjustment problems
Impaired health-related quality of life and life satisfaction
Increased medical morbidity and mortality
Associated increased health care utilization compared with BMI-matched control subjects
May be associated with an increased risk for weight gain & devmt of obesity
Differential Diagnosis:
Bulimia Nervosa:
Clinical presentation & recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior (e.g., purging, driven exercise) – not in BED
BED may report dieting attempts, but “don’t show marked or sustained dietary restriction designed to influence body weight & shape between binge-eating episodes” (352)
Response to treatment: BED consistently higher rates of improvement than BN
Obesity:
Associated with obesity but different.
BED clients with obesity have higher rates of overvaluation of body weight and shape
BED rates of psychiatric comorbidity are significantly higher
BED better treatment outcomes than obesity without BED
Bipolar & Depressive Disorders:
Increased eating in the context of major depressive episode may/may not be associated with loss of control.
If full criteria are met for MDD/Bipolar Disorder and BED, then they can both be given.
Borderline PD:
“If full criteria for both disorders are met, both diagnoses should be given” (353).
Comorbidity:
Most common are bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders
Less common substance use disorders
“Psychiatric comorbidity is linked to the severity of binge eating and not to the degree of obesity” (353).
Several minor but important changes in criteria
Criterion A focuses on behaviors, like restricting calorie intake, and no longer includes the word “refusal” in terms of weight maintenance since that implies intention on the part of the patient and can be difficult to assess.
DSM IV TR Criterion D requiring Amenorrhea, or the absence of at least 3 menstrual cycles, was deleted in DSM 5 because it cannot be applied to males, pre-menstrual females, females taking oral contraceptives, and post-menopausal females.
DSM-5 criteria reduce the frequency of binge eating and compensatory behaviors that people with bulimia nervosa must exhibit to once a week from twice weekly as specified in the DSM IV TR.