U9-Final Assignment: The Case of Alicia Flor Chavez COUN5106 - Assessment Tests and Measures December 13, 2014 Lynn Jones Ph.D. Unit 9- Final Assignment Diagnosing potential Anorexia nervosa is not always easy, and Alicia’s case, based on information given and her representation, is not clear cut. Researchers argue that the diagnosis has to be done carefully and potential ambiguities have to be resolved (Baer & Blais, 2010). For example, some researchers have argued that one criterion, such as a fear of being fat, can decrease significantly when the person actually loses some weight (Surgenor & Maguire, 2013). For reasons like this, selecting the primary question, namely whether or not the patient has Anorexia …show more content…
The first thing to consider is Alicia’s BMI. She stated that her weight is 120 pounds, but based on her appearance and loose-fitting clothes, it could be that she underreports her weight as it is quite common for individuals with eating disorders to hide and lie about their real weight. So if we are to assume that Alicia’s weight is at least five pounds less than she says (which is a conservative estimate), her BMI is around 19.1. This score indicates the borderline situation, which, according to some researchers, is on the low range of normal weight (Hilbert et al., 2007). According to other researchers, this BMI will put Alicia in the underweight category. Still, this weight is not yet dangerously low, so additional assessment is needed. The Eating Attitude Test yields the overall score and has three subscales that can help determine some specifics. The overall score has a cutoff of 20, and those who score less than 20 are considered as not having an eating disorder, while those who score 20 and more will have to be evaluated by the follow-up assessment tool (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979). The subscales reveal information about bulimia, food preoccupation, dieting and oral control subscales. If any of behavioral questions are selected, this adds additional evidence as to the presence of weight-controlling behaviors. Accordingly, if Alicia has a BMI that falls into the underweight category according to this test, scored 20 or more, and selected at least
Incidences of Anorexia Nervosa have appeared to increase sharply in the USA, UK and western European countries since the beginning of the 60s (Gordon, 2001). The increasing prevalence of the disease has led the World Health Organisation to declare eating disorders a global priority area within adolescent mental health (Becker et al. 2011). Anorexia has in many ways become a modern epidemic (Gordon, 2000) and with a mortality rate of 10% per decade (Gorwood et al. 2003), the highest of any mental disorder (Bulik et al. 2006), it is an epidemic that social and biological scientists have been working tirelessly to understand.
The first diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa is a significantly low weight due to an extreme restriction of nutrients. When Miranda passed out, she was significantly underweight for her age and was also lacking the proper nutrients her body needed to function. The second diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa is a fear of gaining weight even though it would be healthy to do so. Miranda started to diet because she wanted to lose weight. She would also feel extremely guilty if she ate unhealthy food because she feared gaining weight. The third diagnostic criteria is being unaware of how unhealthy it is to be at a low weight and the desire to have a perfect body. Miranda focused on trying to get a “perfect” body and did not believe she had reached it yet, even though she was well under weight. The last diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa classifies Miranda into the sub type of bingeing and purging. According to the subtype, a person must binge and purge multiple times over the last three months. Miranda began bingeing and purging two years ago and would do it multiple times a week.
With Anorexia Nervosa, there is a strong fear of weight gain and a preoccupation with body image. Those diagnosed may show a resistance in maintaining body weight or denial of their illness. Additionally, anorexics may deny their hunger, have eating rituals such as excessive chewing and arranging food on a plate, and seek privacy when they are eating. For women, they go through immediate body changes from abnormal to no menstruation periods and develop lanugo all over their bodies. Characteristics of an anorexic individual also consist of extreme exercise patterns, loosely worn clothing, and maintain very private lives. Socially, to avoid criticism or concern from others, they may distant themselves from friends and activities they once enjoyed. Instead, their primary concerns revolve around weight loss, calorie intake, and dieting. In regards to health, many will have an abnormal slow heart rate and low blood pressure, some can develop osteoporosis, severe dehydration which can result in kidney failure, and overall feel weak (Robbins, 27-29). It has been reported that Anorexia Nervosa has one of the highest death rates in any mental health condition in America (www.NationalEatingDisorders.org).
For many the term “Anorexia” conjures up memories of bone thin, weight obsessed teenage girls, models, and actresses. However, as the spotlight has been shined on Anorexia bringing this secretive and quiet disorder to a wider public perception, many still suffer in silence: either too ashamed to seek treatment, or because of an improper diagnosis.
Eating disorder, Bulimia is an Axis I clinical disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder also written as DSM-IV-TR. The story on this case analysis was performed on Wanda Hoffman a 24 year old woman who presented with the behavior since age 18 after she became a college student. She was overeating in the context of new academic and social demand then inducing vomiting and often skipping lunch meal. The behaviors she exhibited meet most criteria for a diagnosis of eating disorder, Bulimia. Because Wanda exhibits behaviors in each of the diagnostic criteria for eating, disorder, Bulimia it assists us in ruling out other diagnosis.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves extreme weight loss, restricted food intake, and an intense fear of becoming fat. The American Psychiatric Association outlines four diagnostic criteria for anorexia. The first is refusal to maintain body weight. The second is intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight. The third is denial of the seriousness of low body weight. The
This article explored the topic of identifying symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The Eating Disorder Inventory led a study, conducted by D. Garner, that studied females with AN to classify behavior exclusive to the psychological disorder. The researchers recognized the problem of trying to identify any restrictive manners or detrimental behaviors that could identify a person with AN. The purpose of the research was to find tell-tale symptoms or psychological indicators of AN in patients.
Anorexia Nervosa is an emotional disorder that causes its victims to have an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat. It is known to be the third most common eating disorder among adolescents. Many who suffer from the disorder have a strong fear of gaining weight and they 're very determined to prevent any weight gain. AN patients are also incapable of recognizing the severity of their condition. In the article entitled, "A Factor Analysis of the Meanings of Anorexia Nervosa: Intrapsychic, Relational, and Avoidant Dimensions and Their Clinical Correlates", Enrica Marzola explains, "AN sufferers often refuse treatments, show poor compliance with therapy leading to high dropout rates, relapse, and high mortality" (Marzola 2). Marzola examines how many patients become very attached to their illness and do not wish to be recovered from it. In addition, Not only do many AN patients believe that the disorder has help them gain their ideal body image, but they 've also described their starvation as a way to escape from any negative emotions, strengthen their identity, and reveals their distress. Enrica Marzola also addresses, "These instruments confirmed that AN sufferers experience a
April was a 17-year-old high school freshman who presented with severe emaciation due to self-starvation and excessive exercise. Despite being severely underweight, April indicated an intense fear of gaining weight. She bragged about how much weight she had recently lost, though she indicated that her "butt was still too fat." She also reported that she was constantly fatigued, had become socially withdrawn and depressed, and that her menstrual period had become highly irregular. The clinician noted a provisional diagnosis of 307.1 Anorexia Nervosa (American Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV-TR], 2000), as
Progress is noted made because be Carolyn has not maintaining a healthy weight. Wendy noted that her weight is 178LBs. To be in a heath she need to stay in range of 163lbs – 172lbs. Wendy noted her family bring her a lot of sods and candy. Wendy noted they asked
Three Eating Disorders that will be discussed throughout the rest of this review will include, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. The DSM_IV_TR describes the conditions under which these three eating disorders are characterized. Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious illness with severe implications in regards to health. It is classified by the DSM-IV-TR as weighing less than the third percentile for body mass index for ones age and sex, fearing weight gain, having a disturbed perception of body image and on hormonal contraception or the absence of menstruation (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Bulimia Nervosa is a second eating disorder described by the
Based on the information provided within the case study, Andrea Simpson meets the diagnostic criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder (307.51/F50.8). First, her excessive eating is described as “uncontrollable binge-eating” where she goes on sprees of over eating. These binge-eating moments would occur throughout the day and she would often eat, even after meals, until she felt physically uncomfortable. For example, she described a period of overeating as she often ate big breakfasts that would include several eggs with cheese, two to three slices of toast, and two large glasses of juice. This episodic overeating occurred for years and fits criteria A of B.E.D found within the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013).
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of self-regulated food restriction in which the person strives for thinness and also involves distortion of the way the person sees his or her own body. An anorexic person weighs less than 85% of their ideal body weight. The prevalence of eating disorders is between .5-1% of women aged 15-40 and about 1/20 of this number occurs in men. Anorexia affects all aspects of an affected person's life including emotional health, physical health, and relationships with others (Shekter-Wolfson et al 5-6). A study completed in 1996 showed that anorexics also tend to possess traits that are obsessive in nature and carry heavy emotional
Her responses on the over eating questionnaire indicated she presented in accurate and consistent description of her eating patterns. She does not tend to eat after hunger satisfied or have a tendency to engage in unsafe dieting practices. Her cravings are moderate and she does tend to eat as a way to achieve emotional comfort. She also tends to moderately rationalize her eating behavior. Her motivation is high as she is open to pursuing a routine that is consistent with maintaining healthy bodyweight. Her personal appearance is closely tied to her identity. She is significantly self-conscious
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders 5th edition defines anorexia nervosa as an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss; it is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder. According to the DSM 5, the typical diagnostic symptoms of anorexia nervosa are: dramatic weight loss leading to significant low body weight for the individuals age, sex, and health; preoccupation with weight; restriction of food, calories and fat; constant dieting; feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss and fear about gaining weight or being “fat.” Many individuals with anorexia nervosa deny feeling hungry and often avoid eating meals with others, resulting in withdrawal from usual friends and activities