ABSTRACT
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 956 Diagnostic Criteria .................................................................................................................................................................. 956
Anorexia Nervosa ............................................................................................................................................................... 956 Bulimia Nervosa ................................................................................................................................................................. 956 Binge-Eating Disorder ....................................................................................................................................................... 957 Other Eating Disorders ....................................................................................................................................................... 958
Epidemiology .......................................................................................................................................................................... 958 Etiology ................................................................................................................................................................................... 959 Patterns of Onset and Subsequent Course of the Eating Disorders ........................................................................................ 962
Comorbid Psychiatric Conditions ...................................................................................................................................... 962 Other Identifi ed Problems in Patients with Eating Disorders ............................................................................................ 962
Biopsychosocial Assessment .................................................................................................................................................. 963 Interview with Referral Source .......................................................................................................................................... 963 Assessment of the Patient’s Motivation for Treatment ...................................................................................................... 964 Medical Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................................ 964
Symptoms and Signs of AN .......................................................................................................................................... 964 Symptoms and Signs of BN .......................................................................................................................................... 965 Symptoms and Signs of BED ........................................................................................................................................ 965
Nutritional Assessment ........................................................................................................................................................... 965 Clinical Interview ............................................................................................................................................................... 965 Psychological Testing ......................................................................................................................................................... 966 Behavioral Assessment ....................................................................................................................................................... 966 Interview with Family Members/Signifi cant Others .......................................................................................................... 967 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 967 Medical Stabilization and Nutritional Rehabilitation, Education, and Counseling ........................................................... 968 Pharmacotherapy ................................................................................................................................................................ 969 Individual Therapy ............................................................................................................................................................. 969
Treatment of BED ................................................................................................................................................................... 970 Family Therapy .................................................................................................................................................................. 971 Group Therapy ................................................................................................................................................................... 971 Physical Therapy ................................................................................................................................................................ 971 Environmental Exposure .................................................................................................................................................... 971
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................................... 972 Additional Sources of Information ......................................................................................................................................... 972
Organizations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 972 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................................................... 972 Online Resources ............................................................................................................................................................... 972
References ............................................................................................................................................................................... 972
The pursuit of thinness among adolescent and young adult females may leave some of them quickly threatening their physiological and psychological wellbeing as the fear of weight gain and possible obesity drives them into maladaptive eating and dieting habits. The intense preoccupation with dieting and weight control among this segment of the population has become so commonplace that it is often viewed as normal behavior and revered by peers who consider themselves less successful at being able to control their weight and shape. Unfortunately, and sometimes tragically, these maladaptive behaviors may inevitably manifest themselves in the form of eating disorders.
