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Psychological Disorder and DSM-IV-TR Classification

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Identify a specific psychological disorder and describe the symptoms commonly associated with this disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

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Solution Summary

This solution identifies a specific psychological disorder (e.g. Bulimia) and describes the symptoms commonly associated with this disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), as well as information about the prevalence, diagnosis, differences between the symptoms and normal behavior and common treatment modalities.

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It sounds like you are busy. Let's take a closer look at information for you to draw on for your final copy. One psychological disorder to consider is bulimia (also called bulimia nervosa).

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Bulimia (also called bulimia nervosa) is a psychological disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, diet pills, excessive exercise or by other means. Based on DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria, there are two types of bulimia: the purging and non-purging types. The purging type regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. The non-purging type engages in other inappropriate behaviors such as fasting or excessive exercise, rather than purging ((http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/bulimia.htm).

Prevalence

Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia. These numbers are somewhat lower than earlier estimates of the prevalence of bulimia due to the precise criteria now established for the diagnosis. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Twenty to 40% of women with bulimia also have a history of problems related to drug or alcohol use, suggesting that many affected women may have difficulties with control of behavioral impulses.

Differences from normal behavior

It is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. The cycle of overeating and purging can quickly become an obsession similar to an addiction to drugs or other substances. The disorder generally occurs after a variety of unsuccessful attempts at dieting. So, although dieting is a normal part of many peoples' life, people do not resort to eating and purging and other ways to control weight, like the person with bulimia (http://www.medicinenet.com/bulimia/article.htm#1whatis).

Unlike normal behavior, bulimics experience significant weight fluctuations, but their weight loss is usually not as severe or obvious as ...

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