Discussion 2 Baring her naked, 60-pound figure, French model Isabella Caro posed
ID: 3458725 • Letter: D
Question
Discussion 2
Baring her naked, 60-pound figure, French model Isabella Caro posed for a series of advertisements warning of the dangers of eating disorders. Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, Caro's photos captured the grim physical and mental effects of the eating disorder. Her gaunt frame and vacant, hopeless stare conveyed the life of many who suffer from the disorder (Grimes, 2010). Typically, eating disorders are categorized by a persistent disturbance in eating and eating-related behaviors.
For this Discussion, consider the eating behaviors of the client in the case study. Think about how an individual's control of eating habits becomes an abnormality in eating behavior.
MALE SPEAKER: All things considered, I'm doing pretty well. I own my own consulting firm. I help online businesses identify and build their customer base. The company keeps growing every year, so I'm kept pretty busy.
I've got I made, really. I have more free time to play with than most people, a lot more. But to be honest, I'm not happy with my life right now. I wouldn't be otherwise, right?
FEMALE SPEAKER: So tell me what's going on for you?
MALE SPEAKER: Well, I can't seem to keep a relationship going. I have so much good in my life right now, but just not that. I'll start going out with someone a couple of times, and they stop returning my calls. I used to think that it was just a run of bad luck, but now I know that it's me. I'm just not very attractive.
I think that's what happened with my last real boyfriend. We were together for eight months, and never came right out and said it, but I know the reason he ended things-- it was because I was just too fat. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of these right here, my love handles.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, it sounds as if you exercise some, because you look in shape.
MALE SPEAKER: I do. I should. I run five miles a day. I go to the gym a couple times a week and lift weights. I even take a hot yoga class. But it might look like I'm in shape, but trust me, I need to burn more weight.
FEMALE SPEAKER: You're what, 6 foot, 5'11''? How much do you weigh?
MALE SPEAKER: 155, but 155 pounds of flab. Don't get me wrong. I know you might-- I don't purge or anything. What goes in my belly stays there.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Tell me about your diet. What are your eating habits?
MALE SPEAKER: I eat two meals a day, breakfast, lunch. That's it, no dinner. I drink a lot of protein mixes. I'll have a smoothie every now and then, but as long as it's low fat.
No alcohol, that's fattening. And definitely no pot. If you smoke that, you'll eat the whole grocery store.
FEMALE SPEAKER: When was the last time you had a physical?
MALE SPEAKER: Three months ago. Everything was great. Blood pressure, cholesterol,. I've never had sick day in my life. Never seen a shrink, either. You know what my GP said last time I was there, putting my clothes back on? You're too skinny. You know what I said to him? Brother, you can never be too rich or too thin.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post
1. a diagnosis for the male client in the case study and explain your rationale for assigning these diagnoses on the basis of the DSM.
2. Then explain how gender and culture impact the presentation of an eating disorder. Be specific.
Explanation / Answer
Ans 1 He would most likely fit into thr criteria for Bulimia Nervosa as per DSM 5 based on following observations.
a) near normal BMI - he is close to a BMI of 22.5 which is in normal range. Though this is not a criteria in DSM 5, its common for Bulimia Nervosa patients to have near normal body weight and BMI unlike anorexia nervosa patients which have below normal BMI.
b) self perception of being fat - self evaluation is influenced by body shape and weight is a criteria in DSM 5.
c) excessive exercising - a way of compensatory behaviour to prevent weight gain as per DSM 5 criteria
d) binge eating episodes.
e) duration of 3 months as mentioned in the dialogue.
So he may satisfy the diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa, a possibile differential could be Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Ans 2 Gender related presentation issues highlight the fact that Eating disorders are uncommon in Males. Females are almost 10 times more likely to present with Eating disorders.
Culturally many eating disorders like Anorexia nervosa have been found to be more common in High income, Developed, Industralized countries like USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Many Asian countries have culturally accpetable norms for maintaing a low body weight so this makes it less likely to be diagnosed as a disorder. Further some countries like India it may be culturally accpetable to be fat and eat more than normal.