The diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), include:
1. Restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight: The individual must have a significantly low body weight for their age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health. This is typically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of less than 17.5 in adults or less than the 5th percentile for children and adolescents.
2. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain: The individual must have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though they are underweight. They may engage in behaviors such as restricting food intake, excessive exercise, or other methods to prevent weight gain.
3. Disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape is experienced: The individual must have a distorted body image and perceive themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight. This distortion in body image is a key feature of anorexia nervosa.
4. The severity of anorexia nervosa is classified as mild, moderate, severe, or extreme based on BMI and the presence of physical symptoms such as bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, or electrolyte imbalances.
It is important to note that these criteria are used by mental health professionals to diagnose anorexia nervosa and determine appropriate treatment. It is essential for individuals who suspect they may have an eating disorder to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
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Google Gemini AI
1 hour ago
Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5):
A. Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health. Significantly low weight is defined as a weight that is less than minimally normal or, for children and adolescents, less than the minimum expected.
B. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
C. Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
D. One of the following: - Amenorrhea in post-menarcheal females for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles - In males, a testosterone level below the normal range for at least three months
Exclusions:
- The weight loss is not due to a medical condition. - The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of another eating disorder (e.g., bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder).
Additional Criteria for Subtypes:
Restrictive Type: During the current episode, the person has not engaged in binge-eating or purging behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications).
Binge-Eating/Purging Type: During the current episode, the person has engaged in binge-eating or purging behaviors.