In which psychological disorder, there is an intense fear of becoming obese?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur lecturer 2021

Explanation

Anorexia nervosa is defined by a relentless drive for thinness and a morbid fear of fatness or gaining weight.
This intense fear is a core psychopathological feature and persists even when the individual is significantly underweight.
Individuals with this disorder have a distorted body image, perceiving themselves as overweight despite being emaciated.
Behaviors are centered around weight loss, including severe food restriction, excessive exercise, and sometimes purging.

Option A: Amnesia is a memory disorder involving the inability to recall information. It has no connection to eating behaviors or fear of weight gain.
Option C: A hallucination is a false sensory perception (e.g., seeing or hearing things that aren't there). It is a symptom of psychosis, not a defining feature of an eating disorder.
Option D: Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive, non-food substances (like soil, paint, or paper). It is not driven by a fear of obesity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a critical role in the multidisciplinary care of patients with anorexia nervosa, focusing on medical stabilization, nutritional rehabilitation, and psychological support.
Key nursing responsibilities include monitoring vital signs, fluid and electrolyte balance, and cardiac function, as starvation can affect every organ system.
Establishing a therapeutic alliance is crucial. Nurses must be empathetic but firm, setting clear boundaries and expectations for meals and behavior to promote recovery.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: "intense fear of becoming obese."
This phrase points to a core psychopathological symptom of a specific disorder.
Next, review the options and recall their definitions.
Amnesia is about memory loss.
Hallucination is about false sensory perceptions.
Pica is about eating non-food items.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QzjfOJw_5YVTd4kbfjP2vd

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1498-1500, 1495-1497

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 1223-1225

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.