Encyclopedia of Mental Health - Vol. 1

Anorexia Nervosa A type of eating disorder associated with failure to maintain a minimally healthy body weight.

Binge Eating Eating large amounts of food in a discrete period of time accompanied by a sense of loss of control of food intake.

Bulimia Nervosa A type of eating disorder involving recurrent episodes of binge eating and compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, fasting, or excessive exercise).

Eating Disorder A category of psychiatric disorders involving disturbances in eating patterns and attitudes toward food and body image.

Purging A method of compensating for dietary intake, most commonly by self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or diuretic abuse.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA NERVOSA

are two of the most commonly recognized eating disorders. The term "eating disorder" encompasses a variety of psychological/psychiatric disorders involving

disturbed eating patterns and attitudes toward food and body image. Unhealthy weight control practices and intense body image distortion or disparagement are central features of eating disorders.

The word "nervosa" indicates that each of these conditions is a "nervous disorder." Psychological difficulties are likely to be involved in the development of these disorders, and also are likely to be exacerbated by the eating-disordered behavior. "Anorexia" means "lack of appetite." The hallmark feature of anorexia nervosa (AN) is failure to maintain a minimally normal body weight. The meaning of the term "bulimia" is "ox hunger," or "hungry as an ox." Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating (i.e., eating large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control) and compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, fasting, or excessive exercise). Overlap between the symptoms of these disorders occurs in some individuals. Furthermore, individuals may engage in disturbed eating behaviors and/or indicate intense body image disparagement, but not meet full criteria for AN or BN. Detailed information about diagnostic criteria are provided later in this chapter. It is important to note that eating-related behaviors may be best conceptualized as existing along a continuum ranging from "healthy" to "unhealthy" eating-related behaviors and body image.

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