Pat suffers from anorexia nervosa. Which of the following statements is true?

• A. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often have an intense fear of gaining weight even when underweight.
• B. People with anorexia nervosa typically have a body weight above the normal range for their age and height.
• C. Anorexia nervosa is primarily diagnosed in older adults over the age of 60.
• D. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by purging.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key characteristics of anorexia nervosa. It is an eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to restricted food intake and significantly low body weight.
2. Step 2: Evaluate each statement based on clinical knowledge of anorexia nervosa. The first statement mentions an intense fear of gaining weight even when underweight, which aligns with the core symptoms of the disorder.
3. Step 3: Consider the second statement about body weight being above normal. This contradicts the diagnostic criteria, as individuals with anorexia nervosa typically have body weight below the normal range.
4. Step 4: Review the third statement about the typical age of diagnosis. Anorexia nervosa most commonly begins in adolescence or young adulthood, not primarily in older adults over 60.
5. Step 5: Analyze the fourth statement about binge eating followed by purging. This pattern is more characteristic of bulimia nervosa, not anorexia nervosa, which is mainly about restriction and fear of weight gain.