Psych CASC / OSCE · general-adult
Explain OSFED and atypical anorexia to a family — CASC communication station
MRCPsych/FRANZCP-style communication station: explain OSFED atypical AN, medical risk at non-low BMI, family role, without jargon overload.
On this page
Study tools
Target exams
FRANZCPMRCPsychABPNMD-DNB
Prompt
Parents of a 16-year-old who lost 15 kg from a higher weight (current BMI 21.8) with restriction, fear of fatness, and bradycardia want a plain-language explanation of why clinicians say 'atypical anorexia / OSFED', why this is still serious, what medical monitoring means, how family-supported renourishment and CBT-E work, and what not to say about 'looking healthy'.
Station brief
Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes active time after reading. You are the psychiatry registrar in the adolescent clinic. [4]
Candidate instructions. Explain atypical anorexia as an OSFED example in plain language; why large weight loss matters even when BMI is not low; medical checks; family-supported renourishment and psychological therapy (CBT-E ideas); correct unhelpful “looks healthy” comments; check understanding and safety-net. [1][2][4]
References4ShowHide
- [1]Sawyer SM, Whitelaw M, Le Grange D, et al. Physical and Psychological Morbidity in Adolescents With Atypical Anorexia Nervosa Pediatrics, 2016.PMID 27025958
- [2]Whitelaw M, Lee KJ, Gilbertson H, Sawyer SM Predictors of Complications in Anorexia Nervosa and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: Degree of Underweight or Extent and Recency of Weight Loss? J Adolesc Health, 2018.PMID 30454732
- [3]Fairburn CG, Cooper Z, Doll HA, et al. Transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with eating disorders: a two-site trial with 60-week follow-up Am J Psychiatry, 2009.PMID 19074978
- [4]Hay P, Chinn D, Forbes D, et al. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2014.PMID 25351912