Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Over-Eating

Eating Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)

Eating Disorder Terminology

Eating Disorder Terminology (A-M)

Eating Disorder Terminology (N-Z)

Note: There are a number of other lesser used diagnosed Eating Disorders and related diagnosis' (v-codes) that can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Anorexia Nervosa.

Diagnostic Criteria

1. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (e.g., weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected).
2. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
3. Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
4. In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles. (A woman is considered to have amenorrhea if her periods occur only following hormone, e.g., estrogen, administration.)

• Restricting Type: during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)
• Binge-Eating/Purging Type: during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

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Bulimia Nervosa.

Diagnostic Criteria

1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
   1. eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
   2. a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
2. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
3. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
4. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
5. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.

• Purging Type: during the current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
• Nonpurging Type: during the current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has used other inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but has not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas

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Over-Eating

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Eating Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)

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Eating Disorder Terminology

Adipose Tissue: Fat tissue.

Aerobic: Fat-fueled; aerobic exercise increased basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, firms muscles, improves cardiac and respiratory function, and burns flab.

Adult-Onset: Occurring for the first time in those who have reached maturity.

Amenorreah: The loss of the menstrual cycle. In terms of eating disorders this is usually the result of excessive weight loss and often accompanied by excessive exercise.

Anorectic: A name frequently used for diet medications that curb appetite.

Anorexia Nervosa: Self-induced starvation with at least 15 percent of original body weight lost. Victims also have amenorreah, fat phobia, and a severe distortion of body image.

Bulimarexia: Binging followed by purging through laxative abuse, forced vomiting, excessive exercise or enema abuse.

Bulimia Nervosa: Uncontrolled eating in the presence of a strong desire to lose weight.

Catharsis: The emotional reenactment in thought or symbolic form of a painful experience that brings relief of the distress caused by the original experience.

Diuretic: A chemical that stimulates the production of urine. Also known as a water pill.

Enema: The injection of a liquid into the lower bowel through the rectum to compel elimination.

Etiology: Cause or origin. Specifically, all the causes of a disease or abnormal condition.

Gastroplasty: A surgical procedure used to reduce the digestive capacity by shortening the small intestine or shrinking the effective side of the stomach.

Hunger: The Physical urge to eat that is prompted by immediate need for energy.

Juvenile-Onset: Occurring between infancy to young adulthood.

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All diagnostic criteria information originated from: Internet Mental Health

All definitions originated from: Ohio State: Body Image & Health Task Force