Psych: Anorexia Nervosa: Free MSRA Podcast

🧠 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Anorexia Nervosa: High-Yield RevisionIn this episode, we break down anorexia nervosa using clear, exam-focused notes and real-life clinical context. If you’re revising for the MSRA or just want a stronger grasp of this complex disorder, this episode unpacks the definition, diagnosis, management, and complications using UK NICE guidance.🗝️ Key Points📌 What is Anorexia Nervosa?• Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric eating disorder marked by intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and self-imposed food restriction leading to significant weight loss.• Diagnostic criteria (ICD-11): Low body weight for age/height (adults: BMI <18.5; children: <5th percentile), rapid weight loss, persistent behaviours to avoid weight gain, and overriding fear of gaining weight.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Multifactorial: – Genetic predisposition (family history of eating disorders/mental health problems) – Psychological traits (perfectionism, low self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive features) – Sociocultural influences (media pressure for thinness, competitive sports) – Female gender (but can affect any gender), adolescence/early adulthood (peak: 15–19 years), prior dieting attempts📌 Pathophysiology• Involves psychological, neurobiological, and social factors• Neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, dopamine), dysregulated appetite control, neuroendocrine and hormonal changes• Starvation state causes metabolic adaptation and perpetuates the cycle📌 Symptoms & Diagnosis• Features: Severe weight loss, food/calorie restriction, excessive exercise, distorted body image, fear of weight gain, amenorrhoea in females• Clinical diagnosis based on history, symptoms, and behaviour—BMI is not enough• Important to rule out other medical and psychiatric causes (e.g., GI disease, malignancy, depression)📌 Physical Signs & Complications• Bradycardia, hypotension, peripheral oedema, lanugo hair, muscle weakness, acrocyanosis• Bloods: Hypokalaemia, hormonal disturbances (low FSH/LH/oestrogen/testosterone), raised cortisol, impaired glucose tolerance, high cholesterol, low T3• Severe risk: rapid weight loss, low BMI (<13 adults), abnormal ECG, inability to squat, hypothermia📌 Investigations• Assess for complications: FBC, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs, glucose, bone density (DXA), ECG• Marzipan guidelines for risk assessment and hospital admission criteria📌 Management• Multidisciplinary approach – nutritional rehabilitation, psychological therapy (CBT-ED, family-based therapy for under-18s, SSCM), medical monitoring• Outpatient, day-patient, or inpatient as needed• Urgent hospital admission: severe physical/psychiatric complications, electrolyte disturbance, organ dysfunction, suicide risk• Medication is not first-line—mainly for comorbidities📌 Prognosis• Variable: ~46% full recovery, 34% partial, 20% chronic course• Earlier intervention (esp. in adolescents) improves outcomes; chronicity and adult-onset worse prognosis• Mortality rate ~10% (cardiac complications, infections, suicide)📌 Complications – Cardiac: arrhythmias, sudden death – Musculoskeletal: osteoporosis, fractures – Endocrine: infertility, amenorrhoea – GI: constipation, bloating – Renal: dehydration, stones – Neuro: cognitive impairment, seizures – Psychiatric: depression, anxiety, suicide risk – Hematological: anaemia, infection risk📎 More MSRA Psych Resources:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/anorexia-nervosa-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/anorexia-nervosa-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/anorexia-nervosa-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/anorexia-nervosa-rapid-quiz/🎓 Psychiatry for the MSRA: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/psychiatry-for-the-msra/#MSRA #AnorexiaNervosa #Psychiatry #MSRARevision #PassTheMSRA #EatingDisorders #MentalHealth #Flashcards #CBT #UKGuidelines #MedEd