Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What might a counselor suspect in a client with body image issues who seeks weight loss pills?

1. Performance anxiety

2. An eating disorder

3. Chemical dependency

4. A metabolic imbalance

The correct answer is: An eating disorder

In the context of a client with body image issues who is seeking weight loss pills, it is highly plausible that the counselor would suspect the presence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders often manifest in individuals who have a distorted perception of their body shape and weight, leading them to engage in unhealthy behaviors to lose weight. This could include the misuse of weight loss pills, which are sometimes seen as a quick fix to achieve their desired body image. Individuals with eating disorders may struggle with various psychological issues, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, which are intertwined with their body image perception. The pursuit of weight loss through pills without professional guidance can reflect a deeper disconnect from healthy eating patterns and self-acceptance, characteristic of disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. While performance anxiety, chemical dependency, and metabolic imbalance might impact weight or self-image in some contexts, they do not inherently connect to the act of seeking weight loss pills in the same way that an eating disorder does. Eating disorders are specifically related to a preoccupation with body image and an unhealthy relationship with food and weight, making this option the most fitting explanation for the client's behavior.