Psychopathology
PYC4802
Assignment 3
Unique Number: 864340
Name: Mmabatho Ratshefola
Student Number: 61117145
Due Date: 17 July 2020
Eating Disorders.
0|Page
,Table of Contents
SECTION A
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Anorexia nervosa ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Definition of anorexia nervosa............................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. ................................................................................................ 3
2.4. Clinical features of anorexia nervosa. .................................................................................................... 3
3. Bulimia nervosa......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Definition of bulimia nervosa................................................................................................................. 5
3.2. Diagnostic criteria of bulimia nervosa. .................................................................................................. 5
3.3. Clinical features of bulimia nervosa ....................................................................................................... 6
4. Binge- eating disorder ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. Definition of binge- eating disorder ....................................................................................................... 6
4.2. Diagnostic criteria of binge- eating disorder. ........................................................................................ 7
SECTION B
Critically discuss how South African Black females are no longer perceived to be immune from eating
disorders. ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. History of eating disorder in South Africa................................................................................................. 7
2. Body dissatisfaction .................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Western culture versus African culture .................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Urban versus rural black girls ............................................................................................................... 10
4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 11
5. Reference list .......................................................................................................................................... 13
6. PLAGIARISM DECLARATION .................................................................................................................... 15
1|Page
, Section A
1. Introduction
Eating disorders can be exampled as individuals who have irregular eating patterns or
being distressed about their body weight and shape. People with eating disorders either
have extreme minimal intake of food, extreme intake of food and have the guilt of
gaining weight. These conditions might be extreme and life threatening and it is
sometimes hard to diagnose (Yvette, 2018).
Eating disorders do not have clear and definite causes, although people who are prone
to have these disorder are people of the Western culture. Psychologists believe that
eating disorders might be caused socio- cultural factors and not psychological
problems. This is said because of what women are portrayed to look like in the media.
Women are portrayed to look thin and skinny, making it look like it is the prefect image
for women (Tutorial letter 101 PYC4802, 2020).
Although eating disorders are prone to the Western cultured people, it is very much
relevant to the South African context as well. This is because the South African culture
is influenced by the Western culture and the media (Tutorial letter 101 PYC4802, 2020).
The following essay will be focusing on the three major eating disorder: anorexia
nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge- eating disorder. Definitions of each disorder will be
given, the DSM- 5 criteria of each disorder will also be discussed. More in- depth on the
disorder will be discussed. The essay will continue to discuss the clinical picture of each
eating disorder and also the factors that influence the assessment of eating disorders.
Lastly, this essay will discuss the statement: “South African black females are longer
perceived to be immune from eating disorders”. In this case the history of eating
disorders in South Africa will be included and all the contributing factors to eating
disorders in the South African context.
2. Anorexia nervosa
2.1. Definition of anorexia nervosa.
According to Barlow & Durand (2015) anorexia nervosa is when an individual an
individual eats minimal food for excessive weight loss. According to Yvette (2018),
2|Page
PYC4802
Assignment 3
Unique Number: 864340
Name: Mmabatho Ratshefola
Student Number: 61117145
Due Date: 17 July 2020
Eating Disorders.
0|Page
,Table of Contents
SECTION A
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Anorexia nervosa ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Definition of anorexia nervosa............................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. ................................................................................................ 3
2.4. Clinical features of anorexia nervosa. .................................................................................................... 3
3. Bulimia nervosa......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Definition of bulimia nervosa................................................................................................................. 5
3.2. Diagnostic criteria of bulimia nervosa. .................................................................................................. 5
3.3. Clinical features of bulimia nervosa ....................................................................................................... 6
4. Binge- eating disorder ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. Definition of binge- eating disorder ....................................................................................................... 6
4.2. Diagnostic criteria of binge- eating disorder. ........................................................................................ 7
SECTION B
Critically discuss how South African Black females are no longer perceived to be immune from eating
disorders. ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. History of eating disorder in South Africa................................................................................................. 7
2. Body dissatisfaction .................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Western culture versus African culture .................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Urban versus rural black girls ............................................................................................................... 10
4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 11
5. Reference list .......................................................................................................................................... 13
6. PLAGIARISM DECLARATION .................................................................................................................... 15
1|Page
, Section A
1. Introduction
Eating disorders can be exampled as individuals who have irregular eating patterns or
being distressed about their body weight and shape. People with eating disorders either
have extreme minimal intake of food, extreme intake of food and have the guilt of
gaining weight. These conditions might be extreme and life threatening and it is
sometimes hard to diagnose (Yvette, 2018).
Eating disorders do not have clear and definite causes, although people who are prone
to have these disorder are people of the Western culture. Psychologists believe that
eating disorders might be caused socio- cultural factors and not psychological
problems. This is said because of what women are portrayed to look like in the media.
Women are portrayed to look thin and skinny, making it look like it is the prefect image
for women (Tutorial letter 101 PYC4802, 2020).
Although eating disorders are prone to the Western cultured people, it is very much
relevant to the South African context as well. This is because the South African culture
is influenced by the Western culture and the media (Tutorial letter 101 PYC4802, 2020).
The following essay will be focusing on the three major eating disorder: anorexia
nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge- eating disorder. Definitions of each disorder will be
given, the DSM- 5 criteria of each disorder will also be discussed. More in- depth on the
disorder will be discussed. The essay will continue to discuss the clinical picture of each
eating disorder and also the factors that influence the assessment of eating disorders.
Lastly, this essay will discuss the statement: “South African black females are longer
perceived to be immune from eating disorders”. In this case the history of eating
disorders in South Africa will be included and all the contributing factors to eating
disorders in the South African context.
2. Anorexia nervosa
2.1. Definition of anorexia nervosa.
According to Barlow & Durand (2015) anorexia nervosa is when an individual an
individual eats minimal food for excessive weight loss. According to Yvette (2018),
2|Page
