Anorexia Nervosa And Co-Existing Disorders
There are very few illnesses out there that stand apart on their own. Every illness is likely to have another disorder related to it that comprises the whole. For example, someone diagnosed with Major Depression might also have insomnia. So many times, it is difficult for doctors to determine which disorder is the primary one. Most often, the patient needs to be treated for all of the conditions at the same time.
Mental health disorders that occur simultaneously with another primary disorder are called “co-morbid” disorders; “morbid” meaning sick, or ill. It is quite common, for example, to diagnose a patient with Alcohol Dependence (primary diagnosis) and a co-morbid disorder of Dysthymia, a milder form of chronic depression. Both conditions are treated together; improvement in one condition means improvement in the other condition.
Looking specifically at Anorexia Nervosa as a primary condition, let us look at co-morbid mental health conditions often accompany this eating disorder:
Major Depressive Disorder as manifested by depressed mood, social withdrawal, irritability, insomnia and disinterest in sex.
Obsessive-Compulsive features. Obsessive thoughts of food are what pre-occupy an Anorexic’s mind. An Anorexic will frequently hoard foods that have little to no nutritional value, such as plain lettuce, celery, or saltine crackers. Anorexics are constantly taking stock of their supplies, keeping a close eye on the number of items they allow themselves to eat, while compulsively checking to make sure that meager food supply is still where they left it.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder. With this disorder, the patient has an unshakable belief that his/her body is horrifically ugly despite hearing the truth about their appearance from others. Anorexics are convinced that their abdomen, buttocks and thighs are fat and unattractive, although these body parts may actually be agonizingly skeletal in appearance. The term “flat butt” used by mental health professionals who treat eating disorders indicate a patient’s completely flat buttocks, a sign of severe malnutrition.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Anorexics tend to abuse illegal stimulant drugs to avoid feeling hungry and to maintain a false level of energy. Alcohol is abused for similar reasons; anorexics that drink excessively develop alcohol gastritis, an acute stomach pain that prevents them from eating.
Borderline Personality Disorder. A personality disorder is a mental health condition that stems from the underlying character, or personality, of the patient. They reflect the patient’s view of the world and their place in it. Personality disorders are permanent conditions although their symptoms can be effectively managed. The Borderline Personality Disorder’s primary characteristics are a life constantly in chaos and turmoil, history of suicide attempts, unpredictable and impulsive mood, lack of genuine personal relationships, and a constant need for “drama” in their lives. Anorexics with BPD make frequent suicide attempts, have very unstable personal relationships, and their chaotic behavior may try the patience of everyone who knows them. A combined primary disorder like Anorexia Nervosa and a co-morbid personality disorder are referred to as “double trouble” among mental health professionals.
By examining this list of co-morbid disorders, which is not necessarily exclusive, it is easy to see how very difficult it is to treat a patient with potentially fatal Anorexia Nervosa plus a daunting co-morbid disorder. A mental health practitioner with little or no experience in treating eating disorders should not attempt such treatment.
By Health Editor
[…] mary dusenberry wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMental health disorders that occur simultaneously with another primary disorder are called “co-morbid” disorders; “morbid” meaning sick, or ill. It is quite common, for example, to diagnose a patient with Alcohol Dependence (primary … […]