Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54 No. 2, 2026.
Meeting abstract
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.216
Nursing Competencies in the Management of Eating Disturbances in Depressive Syndrome
Azra Pejković
; Psychiatric Hospital of Sarajevo Canton, Nahorevska 248, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
*
Dženana Mahmutović
; Psychiatric Hospital of Sarajevo Canton, Nahorevska 248, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Depressive disorder (depression) is one of the
most common mental disorders today, manifested
by low mood, loss of interest and pleasure,
feelings of guilt and worthlessness, sleep and
appetite disturbances, loss of energy, and poor
concentration. Aim of the paper: Eating disorders
are nutritional and mental disorders that
cause various negative disturbances: preoccupation
with body weight, changes in dietary habits,
and disordered eating behaviors. Eating disorders
may develop over time and lead to numerous consequences,
including malnutrition, osteoporosis,
amenorrhea, anxiety, and depression, which may
be caused by anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia and
bulimia are illnesses characterized by a distorted
perception of one’s own body. These conditions
mainly affect women between 11 and 35 years of
age. As a result of these disorders, patients deliberately
and persistently reduce their food intake.
Bulimia involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by attempts to prevent weight
gain in the form of vomiting and laxative abuse.
Methods: Over the course of the illness, various
symptoms occur, such as withdrawal from loved
ones, depressed mood, apathy, social alienation,
and problems with concentration and memory.
Both depressive disorders and eating disorders
are multidimensional and heterogeneous conditions.
This paper examines the nature of their relationship
by reviewing clinical descriptive and biological
studies addressing the problem, and aims
to present the role of nursing in the prevention
of eating disorders in the context of depressive
syndrome. Various studies confirm the association
between depressive symptoms and depressive
disorders in eating disorders. Conclusion: The
aim of this paper is to provide basic guidelines
regarding the competencies and responsibilities
of nursing in the timely detection, appropriate
treatment, and favorable treatment outcomes
of eating disorders in depressive syndrome. The
research results will form the basis for standard
procedures in specific aspects of prevention and
treatment of eating disorders in depressive syndrome.
Keywords
depressive syndrome; eating disorder; role of the nurse; prevention
Hrčak ID:
352342
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2026.
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