5.11 Eating and Feeding Disorders

Psychiatry Review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

• Eating Disorders:

  • Main disorders: bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
  • Bulimia and anorexia share anxiety and compensatory behaviors.
  • Anorexia: low body weight, fear of gaining weight, treatment involves slow refeeding.
  • Bulimia: normal weight, signs of forced vomiting, treated with CBT and SSRIs.
  • Binge Eating Disorder: uncontrollable eating, negative emotions, SSRIs and CBT for treatment.

• Feeding Disorders:

  • Occur in children, not related to body image.
  • Common disorders: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, rumination disorder, and pica.
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: avoidance or restriction of food intake.
  • Pica: eating non-nutritious substances, common in young children.
  • Rumination Disorder: regurgitation without associated symptoms.