PSY203: If you mindlessly scroll through Instagram or Facebook whenever you get a few seconds of downtime, you’re far from alone: Abnormal Psychology Case Study, SUSS, Singapore

If you mindlessly scroll through Instagram or Facebook whenever you get a few seconds of downtime, you’re far from alone. But have you ever wondered how all those images of other people’s bodies – whether your friend’s holiday snap or a celebrity’s gym selfie – could be affecting how you view your own?

• Social and cultural determinants of beauty and body shape influence the development of Eating Disorders. Look at magazines and newspaper articles for information on the glorification of the ‘ideal’ body shape. Examine what is deemed as ideal body shape and what is practiced to achieve such standards in our society. Explain some consequences that result from these behaviors.
• Samantha is a 19-year-old college sophomore. She is referred for evaluation of depressive symptoms with passive suicidal ideation. The initial evaluation reveals that over the past four years, Samantha has been restricting her caloric intake to barely 1200 calories a day, and she has a stringent exercise regimen. Due to these behaviors, she weighs 46 kg. She admits she would like to lose more weight, despite her BMI of 16 kg/m2. She also reports several neuro vegetative symptoms, including depressed mood, anhedonia, impaired sleep, low energy, and persistent thoughts of death.

The case study indicates that individuals with eating disorders often present with other comorbid psychological disturbances such as anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Discuss the various pathways by which these conditions may be interrelated.