Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia

This course is structured into six detailed units, each offering essential knowledge for healthcare professionals dealing with eating disorders.

Unit 1: Diagnostic Criteria and Statistics
This unit covers the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other related disorders. It also presents key statistics on their prevalence and the critical role general practitioners play in early diagnosis. The impact of these disorders on mental and physical health is emphasised, along with recovery statistics and co-occurring mental health issues.

Unit 2: DSM Diagnostic Criteria
Unit two dives deeper into the DSM criteria for eating disorders, breaking down the diagnostic processes for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. It explains the variations in severity, from mild to extreme, and highlights the need for careful assessment of patient symptoms​.

Unit 3: Prevention
This unit outlines prevention strategies, emphasising the role of general practitioners in preventing eating disorders. It covers universal, selective, and targeted prevention approaches and identifies high-risk groups such as adolescents, women during transition periods, and individuals with a family history of eating disorders.

Unit 4: Screening and Identification
The fourth unit focuses on screening methods for early identification of eating disorders. It provides details on validated screening tools like the SCOFF questionnaire and discusses behavioural, psychological, and physical signs that may indicate an eating disorder, even when patients present with unrelated complaints​.

Unit 5: Initial Assessment
This unit guides practitioners through the initial assessment of patients, prioritising emergency conditions that may require hospitalisation. It includes detailed diagnostic parameters for medical and psychiatric evaluations, as well as guidelines for building a comprehensive treatment history​.

Unit 6: Treatment Guidelines
The final unit outlines treatment goals for anorexia nervosa and bulimia, advocating for a multidisciplinary team approach. The role of general practitioners in ongoing care, medical monitoring, and the management of co-morbidities is explored. The use of pharmacotherapy, when appropriate, is also discussed.

This course is designed to provide actionable knowledge that healthcare professionals can apply in their daily practice, offering an evidence-based framework for improving patient outcomes in managing eating disorders.