Course code Medi5014
Credit points 3
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for lectures12
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes12
Independent study hours57
Responsible UnitInstitute of Food
The objective of the course is to introduce students to the psychology of food intake and its clinical deviations to pathological eating disorders. The goal is to form a unified strategy for the normalization of eating behaviour and body weight.
The objectives of the course are:
1) to examine the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs and course of the neurotic eating disorders;
1) to analyse the following clinical variants of neurotic eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, atypical neurotic eating disorders, etc.
3) to provide information about psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy on of the above-mentioned eating disorders;
4. to provide information on the most frequently used psychotherapy methods, drug therapy, correction of somatic and endocrine disorders.
The course is taught in Latvian
Knowledge:
1) understand, how obsession with body weight interacts with individual psychological factors to cause a range of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and other disorders;
2) has an in - depth understanding of the latest findings and approaches on the professional medical methodology concerning eating disorders;
Skills:
3) the ability to recognize signs and precisely evaluate disease stage;
Competencies:
4) be able to plan patients‘ clinical examinations and consultations with specialists;
5) knows the principles of treatment of eating disorders and their specifics.
Lectures
1. Introduction to human eating disorders L2
2. Predisposing factors for eating disorders L2
3. Causes of eating disorders L2
4. Diagnostic criteria of eating disorders L2
5. Etiology and course of anorexia nervosa L2
6. Factors promoting anorexia nervosa L2
7. Treatment of anorexia nervosa L2
8. Etiology and course of bulimia nervosa L2
9. Factors promoting bulimia nervosa L2
10. Treatment of bulimia nervosa L2
11. Binge eating disorder L2
12. Obsession with body weight L2
13. Prevention of eating disorders L4
Seminars
1st seminar. Eating disorders. Diagnostic criteria of eating disorders. S2
2nd seminar. Obsession with body weight. S2
Lecture attendance is not mandatory. Seminar attendance and active participation - mandatory.
Intermediate tests: presentation at the seminar (20%) and term paper (written report) - (30%).
Final examination: written exam (50%).
The independent work of the students is organized individually.
Student's independent work tasks:
1) to acquire basic and scientific literature related to the topics of the course;
2) to prepare reports for seminars - using specialized scientific literature, describing and analysing the situation or case of neurotic disorders.
The individual tasks have to be done in accordance with deadlines specified by the professor.
The final rating of the study course will be resulted from the results of intermediate tests: presentation at the seminar (20%) and written report (30%) and final examination (50%).
1. Costin, C. (2007). The Eating Disorder Sourcebook, 3rd ed.
2. Levitt, J.L. et al. (2004). Self-Harm Behaviour and Eating Disorders: Dynamics, Assessment and Treatment.
3. Walsh, T. et al. (2016). Handbook of Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders.
4. Yager, J. et al. (2012). Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders, 3rd ed.
1. Birmingham, C.L. et al. (2004). Medical Management of Eating Disorders: A Practical Handbook for Healthcare Professionals.
2. Introduction to Eating Disorders (2016). http://www.merckmanuals.com
3. Wonderlich, S. et al. (2005). AED Review of Eating Disorders.
1. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention;
2. International Journal of Eating Disorders;
3. http://www.aacap.org/Announcements/AACAP_Comment.htm (Ēšanas traucējumu vadlīnijas);
4. http://www.parentsmedguide.org/physiciansmedguide.htm#17 (Parents MedGuide).