Anorexia nervosa in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Josephine Neale ◽  
Lee D Hudson

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with peak onset in adolescence, which carries the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. It is commonly comorbid with other physical and mental health problems, yet training on management of people with eating disorders and working knowledge of clinicians working with underweight adolescents is inconsistent. This review of anorexia nervosa in adolescents provides an overview of the presentation, aetiology and treatment of this disorder, with a particular focus on the assessment and management of physical health risks, including refeeding syndrome.

Author(s):  
Michael J. Devlin ◽  
Joanna E. Steinglass

This chapter discusses feeding and eating disorders, which are characterized by disturbed eating behavior and excessive concern about body weight and shape. There is substantial comorbidity of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Many patients with bulimia nervosa have other mental health problems related to impulse control as well, such as substance use disorders. Patients with binge-eating disorder experience periods of consumption of objectively large amounts of food accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. Anorexia nervosa is one of the most lethal psychiatric illnesses, as it is associated with mortality rates as high as 5% per decade of illness.


2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Robinson

SummaryThe MARSIPAN (MAnagement of Really SIck Patients with Anorexia Nervosa) project was established in response to reports of patients admitted to medical wards and proving refractory to treatment, sometimes dying on the ward. Psychiatrists, physicians and other clinicians in nutrition and eating disorders were brought together to discuss key issues in the assessment and management of such patients. The resulting guidance report, which applies to adult patients over 18, addresses: assessment of risk, where to treat the patient, specialist support for medical teams, key elements of treatment, namely (a) safe refeeding to avoid refeeding syndrome and underfeeding syndrome, (b) management of problematic behaviours, (c) support for the family, and (d) transfer to a specialist eating disorder unit when appropriate and possible.


Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is a form of anovulation due to the suppression of HypothalamicPituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis, not related to identifiable organic cause. FHA is a state of hormonal imbalance related to stress, exercising too much or consuming too few calories. In the unprecedented Covid-I9 Pandemic, there is an upsurge of FHA in adolescent girls. Being confined to ‘stay at home’, the phobia of gaining weight due to restricted movement is often triggering eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa(AN);indulging in indoor overexercise, stress associated with routine change, exposure and preoccupations with social media in the changed scenario are causing a disruption of HPO axis manifesting as FHA. But FHA has serious short-term and longterm effects on the physical and mental health of the adolescent individuals. The present article aims at reviewing the causes, effects, evaluation and management of FHA in the present scenario. Adolescent girls with FHA should be carefully diagnosed and properly managed to prevent both short-term and long-term deleterious effects with appropriate and timely intervention.


Author(s):  
John Puntis

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and avoidant–restrictive food intake disorder are the main categories of eating disorder. They are associated with impairment of physical health and social, emotional, and cognitive development; outcomes are poor if untreated. Ten times more girls are affected than boys. The primary aim of management is to establish regular meals and snacks spread throughout the day. Severely malnourished children are at risk of refeeding syndrome and require expert care (outlined in the published guideline ‘Junior MARSIPAN’).


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient


Author(s):  
Susan McElroy ◽  
Anna I. Guerdjikova ◽  
Nicole Mori ◽  
Paul E. Keck

This chapter addresses the pharmacotherapy of the eating disorders (EDs). Many persons with EDs receive pharmacotherapy, but pharmacotherapy research for EDs has lagged behind that for other major mental disorders. This chapter first provides a brief rationale for using medications in the treatment of EDs. It then reviews the data supporting the effectiveness of specific medications or medication classes in treating patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other potentially important EDs, such as night eating syndrome (NES). It concludes by summarizing these data and suggesting future areas for research in the pharmacotherapy of EDs.


Author(s):  
Pamela Keel

The epidemiology of eating disorders holds important clues for understanding factors that may contribute to their etiology. In addition, epidemiological findings speak to the public health significance of these deleterious syndromes. Information on course and outcome are important for clinicians to understand the prognosis associated with different disorders of eating and for treatment planning. This chapter reviews information on the epidemiology and course of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and two forms of eating disorder not otherwise specified, binge eating disorder and purging disorder.


Author(s):  
Susan L. McElroy ◽  
Anna I. Guerdjikova ◽  
Anne M. O’Melia ◽  
Nicole Mori ◽  
Paul E. Keck

Many persons with eating disorders (EDs) receive pharmacotherapy, but pharmacotherapy research for EDs has lagged behind that for other major mental disorders. In this chapter, we first provide a brief rationale for using medications in the treatment of EDs. We then review the data supporting the effectiveness of specific medications or medication classes in treating patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), and other potentially important EDs, such as night eating syndrome (NES) and sleep-related eating disorder (SRED). We conclude by summarizing these data and suggesting future areas for research in the pharmacotherapy of EDs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson Alun ◽  
Barbara Murphy

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly being acknowledged as risk factors for both physical and mental health problems. Recent statistics demonstrate that loneliness and isolation are on the rise internationally, to the point of being classed as an epidemic. In this paper, the authors outline some of the recent research linking loneliness and isolation to significant chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes; mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression; cognitive disorders and dementia. Isolation has also been shown to compromise recovery after acute cardiac events, being associated with increased hospital readmission and premature death. Indeed, isolation has now been identified as a risk factor equivalent in effect to traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and obesity. While distinguishing between objective and subjective indicators of isolation, the authors highlight the complexity of this phenomenon, both in terms of definition and measurement, as well as the interplay between subjective and objective indicators. Important clinical implications for health professionals working with cardiac patients are also proposed, in terms of screening for isolation, and possible interventions to support patients at risk of isolation. The aim of the current article is to emphasise the importance of acknowledging loneliness and isolation as key risk factors requiring urgent attention, both in research and in clinical practice.


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