NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents
Cognitive Orientation Therapy (COT) A type of
cognitive therapy that uses a systematic procedure
to understand the meaning of a patient’s behavior by
exploring certain themes such as aggression and
avoidance. The procedure for modifying behavior
then focuses on systematically changing the
patient’s beliefs related to the themes and not
directly to eating behavior
Comorbid Conditions Multiple physical and/or
mental conditions existing in a person at the same
time. (See Dual Diagnosis.)
Crisis Residential Treatment Services Short-term,
round-the-clock help provided in a nonhospital
setting during a crisis. The purposes of this care are
to avoid inpatient hospitalization, help stabilize the
individual in crisis, and determine the next
appropriate step.
Cure The treated condition or disorder is
permanently gone, never to return in the individual
who received treatment. Not to be confused with
“remission.” (See Remission.)
Dental Caries Tooth cavities. The teeth of people
with bulimia who using vomiting as a purging
method may be especially vulnerable to developing
cavities because of the exposure of teeth to the high
acid content of vomit.
Depression (also called Major Depressive Disorder) A
condition that is characterized by one or more major
depressive episodes consisting of two or more weeks
during which a person experiences a depressed
mood or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all
activities. It is one of the mood disorders listed in the
DSM-IV-R. (See Mood Disorders.)
Diabetic Omission of Insulin A nonpurging method of
compensating for excess calorie intake that may be
used by a person with diabetes and bulimia.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) A type of
behavioral therapy that views emotional
deregulation as the core problem in bulimia nervosa.
It involves teaching people with bulimia nervosa
new skills to regulate negative emotions and replace
dysfunctional behavior. A typical course of treatment
is 20 group sessions lasting 2 hours once a week.
(See Behavioral Therapy.)
Disordered Eating Term used to describe any
atypical eating behavior.
Drunkorexia Behaviors that include any or all of the
following: replacing food consumption with
excessive alcohol consumption; consuming food
along with sufficient amounts of alcohol to induce
vomiting as a method of purging and numbing
feelings. DSM-IV The fourth (and most current as of 2006)
edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for
Mental Disorders IV published by the American
Psychiatric Association (APA). This manual lists
mental diseases, conditions, and disorders, and also
lists the criteria established by APA to diagnose
them. Several different eating disorders are listed in
the manual, including bulimia nervosa.
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria A list of symptoms in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental
Disorders IV published by APA. The criteria describe
the features of the mental diseases and disorders
listed in the manual. For a particular mental disorder
to be diagnosed in an individual, the individual must
exhibit the symptoms listed in the criteria for that
disorder. Many health plans require that a DSM-IV
diagnosis be made by a qualified clinician before
approving benefits for a patient seeking treatment
for a mental disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
DSM-IV-R Diagnostic Criteria Criteria in the revised
edition of the DSM-IV used to diagnose mental
disorders. Dual Diagnosis Two mental health disorders in a
patient at the same time, as diagnosed by a clinician.
For example, a patient may be given a diagnosis of
both bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive
disorder or anorexia and major depressive disorder.
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) A fellowship of
individuals who share their experiences with each
other to try to solve common problems and help
each other recover from their eating disorders.
Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS)
Any disorder of eating that does not meet the criteria
for anorexia nervosa or bulimic nervosa.
Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) A self-report test that
clinicians use with patients to diagnose specific
eating disorders and determine the severity of a
patient’s condition.
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