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    Mental Health Finals Proctored Exam

    Over the past year, a woman cooked gourmet meats for her family but eats only tiny servings. This person wears layered loose clothing Her current weight is 42 kg, a loss of 14 kg, Which medical diagnosis is most likely?

    Explanation & Rationale

    Reasoning: Choice A reason: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restricted energy intake leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and behaviors like wearing layered clothing to hide weight loss or stay warm. Cooking for others while not eating is a common compensatory psychological behavior. Choice B reason: Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is used when a patient's symptoms cause significant distress but do not meet the full clinical criteria for anorexia or bulimia. Given the massive weight loss and specific behavioral markers, anorexia is the more precise diagnosis. Choice C reason: Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse. While weight can fluctuate, bulimic patients typically maintain a weight within or above the normal range, unlike the severe emaciation and 42 kg weight described in this scenario. Choice D reason: While major depressive disorder can cause significant weight loss due to anorexia (loss of appetite), the specific behavioral patterns of cooking for others and wearing layered clothing to conceal the body are classic hallmark signs of the distorted body image and weight preoccupation found in anorexia nervosa.

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