Mdedge Psychcast

Patricia Westmoreland, MD, returns to the Psychcast to conduct a Masterclass on treating bulimia. Dr. Westmoreland, an attending psychiatrist at the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, previously discussed eating disorders. She is an adjunct assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, and has a private forensic psychiatry practice in Denver. Takeaway points Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can have life-threatening medical complications. All medical complications can resolve with consistent nutrition and full weight restoration. Eating disorders must be treated and associated behaviors stopped to prevent complications from returning. Anorexia-related medical complications usually are attributable to weight loss and malnutrition. Bulimia-related medical complications can occur at any weight, and are related to the mode and frequency of purging. Complications include metabolic abnormalities, such as electrolyte and acid-base disturbances, volume depl