Eating Disorder Case Study PDF

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Eating Disorder Case Study Grand Canyon University: PSY 352 April 21, 2019

Eating Disorder Case Study

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EATING DISORDER CASE STUDY

Eating disorders vary in their symptoms and diagnoses, all usually rooted in dysmorphia. The effects of these disorders can be crippling as patients continue to obsess over obtaining and maintaining a “perfect” body. This paper will analyze one woman, Stella, describing which eating disorder she is at risk of developing, providing a list of symptoms to diagnose her eating disorder, and explaining a number of methods to effectively treat her type of eating disorder. Risk Factors for Eating Disorder Development Stella displays a number of risk factors leaving her vulnerable to develop bulimia nervosa. Risk factors for bulimia nervosa include weight concerns, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, social anxiety, thin body ideation, childhood abuse, childhood obesity, early pubertal maturation, family history with bulimia nervosa, and the presence of other psychological disorders. Bulimia nervosa is also much more prevalent among 13 to 40-year-old women in comparison to the rest of the population (American Psychological Association, 2013). Stella’s age, gender, obsessive thoughts of losing weight, thin ideals, depressive behavior, and strange actions within social situations, which may hint at underlying abnormal brain characteristics or social anxiety, place her more at risk for the disorder (Grand Canyon University, 2018). The presence of these risk factors leave Stella much more vulnerable to develop an eating disorder Symptoms of Eating Disorder To determine if Stella has developed bulimia nervosa, doctors would check for several symptoms including recurring episodes of binge eating followed by guilt and behaviors aimed at preventing consequent weight gain accompanied by excessive emphasis on one’s body shape or weight when evaluating oneself. Some markers of bulimia nervosa include fluid or electrolyte abnormalities, loss of gastric acid, eroding of tooth enamel, metabolic alkalosis, or metabolic acidosis all resulting from purging behavior (APA, 2015). Stella already exhibits some

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symptoms of bulimia nervosa since she tends to overeat after crash dieting, ultimately feeling guilty for her binge. Her self-concept also depends on her weight since she is terrified at the thought of gaining any weight (GCU, 2018). In the future, doctors may want to test her electrolyte levels to see if purging is consistent, look for any drastic weight changes, or interview her family to understand her behaviors at home including any changes in diet, exercise, or restroom behavior, and obsessively checking her weight or looking in the mirror. Explanation of Eating Disorder Treatments There are a number of effective treatments that could aid in treating bulimia nervosa in individuals like Stella. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves employing the help of a psychological professional in changing negative cognitions in favor of more positive ones. This method can be used to improve bulimia patients’ perceptions of food and weight in order to promote healthier, lasting behaviors. Medical professionals may also want to treat any other underlying psychiatric illnesses such as depression and anxiety as these disorders tend to increase the severity of bulimia in an individual. Group therapy may also be useful in addition to individual treatment since patients are able to learn from the shared experiences of others (Sarafino et al., 2017). In spite of the difficulties inflicted on patients by bulimia, there are ways to treat it. Conclusion The impacts of eating disorders can be crippling if left untreated, leaving an individual trapped in a body filled with imagined imperfections. This paper was able to examine a woman named Stella, providing her list of possible risk factors, symptoms, and treatments for bulimia nervosa.

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References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Grand Canyon University. (2018). Case study: Eating disorder. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/psy362/brain-based-learning/v1.1/tablet/scenario-2.html Sarafino, E. P. & Smith, T. W. (2017). Health psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc....